Angels humbled in Premier League debut
Chakalisa Dube | Monday October 31, 2022 16:00
Angels were making their debut in the elite league. Mpatane maintained that ‘small details were decisive’ on Saturday. It was a match in which Angels could have at least salvaged a point.
Angels missed no fewer than three close chances. Most notably, they failed to capitalise on several mistakes from the visitors' goalkeeper, Michael Pepukani. “This was our first game in the Premier League.
It was a lesson for us. We will not be hard on ourselves. We will pick the positives. We held our own against a side that boasts experienced players,” Mpatane said in a post-match interview.
He added: “In the last 20 minutes we were entirely in their half. It is just that the boys were a bit nervy and anxious. I believe small details like experience were decisive in today’s game.
It was evident from the match that we are here to compete. The boys made me proud. I cannot fault them. I believe we have fairly good players. We will surprise many people this season.” The hosts started the match on a higher note testing the Morupule goalkeeper on several occasions.
Defender, Marcus Maokaneng could have found the back of the net in the 14th minute after Pepukani spilled what seemed like an innocent shot into his path. Maokaneng ballooned his effort wide much to the agony of the home supporters who came in their numbers to watch the game.
A minute later Angels were punished for their lack of predatory instincts upfront when forward Agrippa Mumba shrugged off his marker inside the box and unleashed a powerful shot that went between the legs of Angels goal-minder Tambani Bachopi. Mumba could have doubled the visitors’ lead in the 27th minute but his well taken short from the edge of the box hit the lower right with Bachopi looking well beaten.
Monty Enosa could have restored parity for Angles in the 39th but his well executed close header went slightly over the bar. A minute before the break, the national Under 20 forward failed to capitalise on another mistake from Pepukani.
The latter’s blunder followed a similar pattern like his first one early in the first half. The second half was not that interesting as both teams played in patches. However, Angels’ defender Mompati Mbidzo could have found the decisive equaliser six minutes after the break.
That was after he intercepted Pepukani’s poor distribution but his shot went inches wide. Mbidzo’s missed opportunity was probably the most noteworthy opportunity for the hosts in the second half.
The momentum was with Angels towards the end of the second stanza of the match. ‘Lekgamu la bananyana’ as Angels are lovingly known, capitalised on their numerical advantage after Ernest Ngwaga was given his marching orders in the 66th minute. The defender was dismissed for a second bookable offence. However, their attempts at goal were thwarted by a compact Morupule defence. Left back Michael Tinye was the lynchpin in the visitors defence. The match ended 1-0 in favour of Wanderers.
The teams:
Angels: Tambani Bachopi, Fungai Muzila Muzila, Thuso Monyama, Ofentse Ntesang, Maokaneng (Kudzani Sibanda), Mompati Mmeshe (Tshokolo Sebawe), Bakang Mpatane, Mompati Mbidzo, Desmond Mtukufa (Keletso Ogotseng), Enosa, Batshani Bee (Tlotlo Kgaolo) Morupule: Michael Pepukani, Keabetswe Obonetse, Ngwaga (red card), Tshepang Boithatelo, Bokang Kwarare, Maano Ditshupo, Julius Linkotsane (Kelapile Ndlovu), Boipelo Oaitse (Tumelo Mazebedi), Michael Tinye, Baboloki Makura, Murimba (Thabiso Bante)
Angels 0 Morupule Wanderers 1 (Mumba 15th)