Calcutta wins derby-thriller against Benfica - Historic first victory in Vodacom League

About 300 fans witnessed Bushbuckridge's sporting highlight of the weekend, many also travelling from Thulamahashe to support Benfica. But the match did not live up to their high expectations in the first half when both rivals could not establish their playing patterns.

Benfica displayed the more mature football and dominated ball possession, whereas the home team showed glimpses of their own strength during counter attacks. The better scoring chances were with Benfica, but Calcutta's keeper Muzi Mbatsana kept his team in the game. Sides were changed at a 0-0 deadlock.

The match gained more quality and intensity in the second half, and some tempers had to be cooled down by referee Shain Chuma who took out the yellow card five times altogether from his back pocket. Calcutta's defense lacked stability, while the visitors attacked repeatedly over the right wing.

The opening goal resulted from here in minute 65 when a square pass found substitute Selby Tshauke who finished without mercy: 0-1 Benfica! Benfica seemed to be on the road to victory now, but the hosts' never-give-up mentality got rewarded when substitute Saneliso "Torres" Maphanga scored the equaliser with a firm shot from the penalty box marking (71').

Celebrations among Calcutta's supporters had not come to an end when striker Walter "General" Shongwe finished a counter-attack two minutes later and turned the match completely upside-down: 2-1 Calcutta!

The stage was prepared for a nail-biting finish and the visitors pushed hard to equalise. A header by Benfica's best player, central defender Clement Mokgope, only hit the crossbar in minute 76. But all efforts were in vain and Calcutta's jubilation after the final whistle left their opponents in derby-pain.

Calcutta's coach Lysta Muhlari praised his team afterwards. "The players are still new to the Vodacom League and the standard, but they fought very well. That is what we want and now we see light at the end of the tunnel," Muhlari said.

His counterpart Humphrey Sithole was obviously disappointed. "We played well but lost concentration. After scoring, the players went to sleep. Goal number two would have wrapped it up," Sithole explained.

Benfica has at least the chance to redeem itself soon in the following derby against MP Highlanders on 23 October, while Calcutta will play Batau FC at Ermelo the previous day.