AMAVARARA Football Club claimed the Chris Hani Region derby bragging rights after outplaying Seven Stars FC 4-1 in an ABC Motsepe League clash at the Dumpy Adams Sports Complex in Komani on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams went into the derby licking their wounds from defeats, Amavarara lost 3-2 on the road at the hands of SA Spear of The Nation FC in Mt Ayliff while Stars were beaten at home by Sibiya All Stars 2-1.
Aloevale-based Stars drew first blood when Shaydon Rowland benefited on a poor mistake from Sapholwethu Kelepu and claimed the lead in the 23rd minute. The Amavarara centre-back tried a back-pass which only proved a perfect through ball for Rowland, who calmly stroked a shot beyond goalkeeper Mawethu Gwangwa for 1-0.
Kelepu reacted quickly to that error as he scored an equaliser just before halftime; he rose above everyone to score a beautiful header from a corner kick as both teams went to halftime a goal apiece.
In the second half Amavarara came out guns blazing as they were bossing possession, and they quickly scored through Khakalethu Velaphi to take the lead for the first time in the game.
The Ezibeleni-based side continued to dominate proceedings and just after the hour-mark Siphosihle Mtule joined the party scoring a brace as they buried Seven Stars and gave them the derby bragging rights.
Amavarara remain in third place on the table with 19 points, four points ahead of Sibiya All Stars and five points behind second-placed Bizana Pondo Chiefs; Seven Stars are third from the bottom with 10 points.
The teams will return to ABC Motsepe League action this weekend, with Amavarara away to Highbury in Gqeberha on Saturday while Stars visiting FC Siyanda in KwaBhaca on the same day.
