BDF XI edge Notwane, GU survive scare
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday April 24, 2023 11:53
The two teams met in the last 16 round for the third time in four seasons. Both sides had a win each in the two previous meetings. In the first quarter of an hour of the tie, both goalkeepers were not tested as the action was more concentrated in the middle of the park.
Metlhayotlhe had the first attempt at goal, however he directed his header off the post on the 17th minute. Two minutes later, Notwane launched an enterprising move orchestrated by Remmington Masuku but Donald Botshoma shot over the bar.
BDF XI were forced to make an early substitution on the 25th minute after Rentse Keakabetse limped off with an injury and and a replacement came in Confidence Senwelo. Three minutes later, Mbonisi Ncube made an attempt at goal but his attempt sailed over the bar. Two Notwane players clashed in attempt to secure the ball. Oratile Taunyane was near to capitalise and delivered a low cross to Metlhayotlhe who slotted into the bottom to give BDF the lead on the 35th minute.
Tumisang Pule on the 38th minute missed the goal by few inches before Botsile Sakana hit the side net with a free kick attempt on the other end.
The Army Boys went into recess with a 1-0 advantage.
Five minutes into the second half, Metlhayotlhe met a long ball with a half volley but the goalkeeper was well positioned to make a save. A minute later, Ncube tried with a shot from outside the box but the goalkeeper came tops. Taunyane thought he had doubled his side’s lead as he tucked in a parried free-kick attempt by Kabo Ngongorego on the 55th minute.
However, the winger was adjudged to be offside. Kudzanani Machadzani came closest for Notwane but his headed effort went an inch away from the goal on the 75th minute.
Three minutes later, Molemi Dibuile forced a fingertip save from the goalkeeper with a freekick attempt. Five minutes before the end of the regulation time, Metlhayotlhe from inside the box was superbly denied by the goalkeeper as BDF XI held on to book a place in the quarter final. “For the past two weeks I have been talking to the players about the importance of this game.
They beat us in the last 16 and we also beat themin the last 16 during the last two encounters. It is a team that always gives us problems and i am happy today we managed to get over them,” BDF XI’s coach, Letang ‘Rasta’ Kgengwenyane said after the match. His counterpart, Thaloba Nthaga felt his side deserved more from the game.
In Lobatse, defending champions, Gaborone United survived a scare and defeated CRACKiT City Polar 3-0 in penalty shootout after the two sides played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time. City Polar took the lead in the first half before GU equalised in the second half. However in the end, The Reds' experience counted in the penalty shootout as City polar players missed all their penalties. In Mochudi, Security Systems eliminated Mochudi Centre Chiefs through a solitary goal from Morris Ruzivo.
The Teams: BDF: Kagiso Matlou, Gaamangwe Thabe, Onkabetse Seforo, Kabo Ngongorego, Ronald Setshego, Tumisang Pule, Godiraone Modingwane, Rentse Keakabetse (Confidence Senwelo), Oratile Taunyane, Mbonisi Ncube (Aobakwe Tshobo), Thabo Metlhayotlhe Notwane: Tumiso Mashakola, Lemogang Kabo (Malvern Moyo), Emmanuel Ramatoroko, Thabang Ofitlhile (Obakeng Senono), Botsile Sakana, Donald Botshoma, Mphoyamodimo Keiponye, Remmington Masuku, Thato Gabatlhokwe, Kudzanani Machadzani, Molemi Dibuile (Bonolo Pono) Cautions: Ngongorego, Senono
BDF 1 (Metlhayotlhe 35th) Notwane 0