By Netshakhuma Muleya
BEITBRIDGE based Vhembe Stars Academy suffered a 1-4 defeat to Good Morning FC at Dulivhadzimu Stadium on August 26, 2026.
The match began with both teams playing cautiously during the opening 10 minutes, before Good Morning FC broke the deadlock in the 37th minute to take a 1-0 lead.
Two minutes later, Good Morning FC doubled its advantage, scoring in the 39th minute.
The visitors added a third goal in the 41st minute to take a 3-0 lead into halftime.
Vhembe Stars Academy responded after the break, with the hosts scoring in the 58th minute to reduce the deficit to 1-3.
Benedict Sithole scored the goal in the 66th minute after receiving a cross from the left wing by Davies Nyamukondiwa.
The pressure increased as Vhembe Stars attempted to close the gap, while Good Morning FC’s defenders worked to maintain their advantage.
Good Morning FC eventually sealed the result in the 86th minute with its fourth goal, leaving Vhembe Stars Academy with little time to respond.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network, the Good Morning FC coach, Joseph Chakupewa said he was pleased with the away victory.
“It feels great winning an away game, especially against Vhembe Stars Academy, which was too resistant in the first round game of the season,” he said.
“It was a good game from both camps, I may say. It was a matter of building combinations as we are still a team trying to get a consistent winning game plan.”
He also said, the team would look to maintain its momentum in the next fixture.
Meanwhile, Vhembe Stars Academy team manager Kelvin Mahoro acknowledged the result, saying football can produce different outcomes.
“During game time, there are several predictions that might come out of the game. It’s either we win, lose or get a draw,” he said.
“It was a bad day for us. Unfortunately, we could not get a win as we expected. However, we keep focused for the next game.”
Some supporters questioned he wisdom of playing Sithole, Central Region’s top goal scorer for last season, in the middle of the park.
And the Vhembe technical bench also came under scrutiny for failing to guard the wings which caused all the problems for Vhembe with more often than not Pitso falling victim to hard running wings.
“Anyone would have beefed up the wings to limit attacks that came from the same area of Good morning. Vhembe were left for dead by the speedy attackers who also had confidence behind the ball,” said a spectator.
An unusually big crowd witnessed the game and left disappointed after the hosts poor show.