Nedbank Ke Yona Match
Result: Free State Stars 2-1 Ke Yona Team
Date: 09 September 2018
Venue: Makhulong Stadium
Goals from Yusuf Jappie and Eleazar Rodgers guided Nedbank Cup champions Free State Stars to a 2-1 win over the Ke Yona Team on Sunday afternoon.
Four minutes into the game, Ea Lla Koto broke the deadlock thanks to a fine left-footed volley from Yusuf Jappie after the Ke Yona outfit failed to deal with a corner.
The hosts' joy was short-lived with the Ke Yona Team hitting back, as Lunathi Mdatyulwa played a neat one-two with Cameron Paulse before firing a low strike into the far corner.
Luc Eymael's men were in control and looked like scoring every time they attacked as Shakes Mashaba's side looked nervous at the back.
Stars had the ball in the back of the net once again after 36 minutes through a towering header from Judas Moseamedi, but the goal was ruled out for a foul by the Stars forward.
Ea Lla Koto pushed for a second goal in the remaining stages of the half, but Bangaly Keita was denied by the woodwork on the stroke of halftime.
Eymael opted for a double change at the start of the second half, with Eleazar Rodgers and William Twala replacing Moseamedi and Jappie.
Mashaba's men looked livelier in the second half and they were unlucky not to have taken lead after goalkeeper Samkelo Mbambo's nervous moments in the box.
Ea Lla Koto eventually restored their lead in the 73rd minute as un-marked Rodgers headed home Harris Tchilimbou's cross from the left flank.
The Nedbank Cup champions were in full control in the closing stages and managed to see out the closing stages to claim the win.
