Angels coach upbeat despite FA Cup defeat
Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday May 3, 2022 16:00
Angels surrendered an early first half lead to lose 2-1 in an encounter that was played at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium over the weekend. "We matched our opponents for the better part of the match. We were just unlucky not to win the match or at least push for penalties. Losing is part of the game," said Mpatane. He added: "Their goalkeeper got the Man of the Match which shows that we had a great match." Mpatane says that he is very happy for his players despite exiting the competition. "It was the first time we reached this stage of the competition.
That on its own shows that my team has done very well, which is why I have no reason to be disappointed," added the coach. Angels started the match on a very lighter note. They kept the visitors' goalkeeper, Bokamoso Moeba very busy in the opening stages and they were rewarded for their efforts in the 21st minute when forward Monty Enosa turned his marker inside the box before unleashing a powerful shot that gave the visitor’s goalkeeper no chance. The hosts could have scored the second goal four minutes later when Enosa set up fellow forward Mompati Mbidzo but the latter's well executed shot hit a defender. The Jungle Kings slowly got back into the match and they nearly found their much needed equaliser in the 32nd minute but striker Pako Gaofose's clean header fell straight in the hands of Angels goalkeeper, Keletso Lekuni. In the 34th minute Enosa had another chance to extend Angels lead but sent his shot wide after he had been let loose by defenders.
The Jungle Kings did find the decisive equaliser in the 36th minute. Gaofose highlighted his aerial strength when he rose high to neatly connect with winger Chicco Molefe's well taken cross from the left, giving the Angels goalie no chance. Both sides created less chances leading to the halftime break. The second half entirely belonged to man of the match, Moeba. He produced stunning saves to keep Police XI into the match. The shot stopper also commanded his defence with aplomb.
The Jungle Kings had a chance to surge ahead in the 51st when forward Hendrick Moyo found himself with the goalkeeper the only man to beat after navigating his way past a traffic of defenders, but his shot went inches wide. Gaofose would then have his shot destined for goal deflected wide. Angels had their first real chance in the second half, in the 55th minute. However, Mbidzo was denied by Moeba from close range. Moeba was the hero again in the 58th minute when he tipped Enosa's clever header over the bar. Molefe would then turn the provider again, this time around with a well-taken corner in the 63rd minute. An unmarked Tonderai Charles connected with the corner to extend the lead for the Jungle Kings. Angels would not be deterred by the Jungle Kings’ second goal.
They continued piling pressure on the visitors until the dying minutes of the match when they seemed to be running off steam. In the 81st minute Mbidzo had his shot cleared off the line by defender Letlhogonolo Senwelo before Enosa's follow up ball was acrobatically dealt with by an alert Moeba. Towards end of the clash, The Jungle Kings were only content with keeping possession.
The teams:
Keletso Lekuni, Marcus Maokaneng, Kefilwe Sekgopi, Ofentse Ntesang, Fungai Muzila, Mompati Mmeshe, Mompati Mbidzo, Bakang Mpatane, Desmond Mtokufa (Ogotseng Keletso), Tshokolo Sebawe (Tebogo Ishmael), Monty Enosa
Police XI: Bokamoso Moeba, Betsho Pius, Bakang Mokgaloke (Eliphas Nyambi), Botshelo Mangena, Gaofose, Charles, Molefe (Letsweletse Leririma), Senwelo, Hendrick Moyo (Letumile Molebatsi), Tapiwa Gadibolae, Lebogang Lekgethiso
Angels 1 (Enosa 21st) Police XI 2 (Gaofose 36th, Charles 63rd)