Matebele edge Notwane to stay in the hunt
Larona Makhaiza | Tuesday January 24, 2023 06:00
The win takes Matebele to second, three points behind leaders, CrackiT City Polar as the promotion race heats up. It was a tight affair between the two sides that defended well but Matebele's defence was breached as early as the sixth minute. Matebele coach, Elias Chinyemba bemoaned his side’s penchant for conceding silly goals after a mix-up between Utlwang Ramakgathi and his goalkeeper Neo Kenalemang gifted Notwane the opener. “We have been conceding easy goals. Our opponents are not creating much against us but it’s us who are hurting ourselves,” he said.
Chinyemba said this was something that they are working on going into the next game as his players are mostly youngsters. However, Chinyemba was thrilled with his side's tenacity that his team possessed as they did not give up throughout the game, and were later rewarded with the winning goal. It was not long before the spectators witnessed the first goal of the match as Remmington Masuku press on Ramakgathi was rewarded. Under pressure, Ramakgathi passed the ball to Kenalemang, who also panicked upon seeing the onrushing Masuku. The striker disposessed the keeper to put his side 1-0 ahead. The early goal saw Notwane keep up the pressure with their high-speed pressing game, but the Matebele defence stood tall. The high press by Notwane forced Matebele to sit back and play a low block and attack on breaks. Malvern Moyo was a thorn on the Matebele side’s flesh but still the visitors stood their ground as Notwane could not find the second goal. In the 20th minute, Matebele broke on attack which was their first clear cut chance of the game. Teddy Ditshweu made a pass which beat Notwane's midfielders and found Thabo Maponda who hit a shot that forced Thabang Motlhabi into a save.
The keeper parried the ball straight into the path of the onrushing Thatayaone Nkwapa who easily slotted to make it 1-1 going into the break. Notwane were the first team to ask questions after the break as they struck a long range shot that saw Kenalemang make a brilliant save to keep his side in the game. Both teams continued in search of a winner until the dying ambers of the match when substitute Onkemetse Paulo provided the most significant moment of the game. Paulo pulled a cracker from outside the box which Motlhabi could only get fingertips to as the ball nestled in the top corner. The defeat saw Notwane drop one position to number five while Matebele brightened their title chances.
The teams Notwane: Thabang Motlhabi, Malvern Moyo (Kudzanai Machazani), Bonolo Pono, Thabang Ofithile, Botsile Sakana, Emmanuel Ramatoroko, Obakeng Senono, Terry Mbuqe, Donald Botshoma (Thato Goitsemang), Mphoyamodimo Keiponye, Remmington Masuku
Matebele: Kenalemang Neo, Kgosietsile Ernest, Monaheng Thaele, Utlwang Ramakgathi, Duncan Tshireletso, Kemmy Pilato, Teddy Ditshweu, Mooketsi Simon, Mompoloki Samachana (Onkemetse Paulo), Thabo Maponda, Thatayaone Nkwapa
*Notwane 1(Masuku 6th) Matebele 2 (Nkwapa 20th, Paulo 87th)