Referees on the spot as Notwane move inches from relegation
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday March 25, 2024 15:44
Relegation threatened Notwane ran out as the 2-1 victors in a tie that produced a red card and three cautions. Ofentse Nato was sent for an early shower late in the first half.
The incident irked the Gunners' fans and officials at the ground as one executive who anonymously spoke to SportMonitor claimed that one of the match officials had approached the club proposing to swing the results their way for a fee. The club official claimed that they turned down the proposal and felt the referee used the power of the whistle to favour Notwane.
The match officials needed security escort to leave the pitch at the end of the match. However, the situation was calmed down quickly and no incidents were recorded. Notwane had looked the better of the two sides earlier on when Joseph Pyele forced a double save from Gunners' goalkeeper, Wame Marembe, on the eighth minute. Pyele was teed up by Keothomile Motshudi on the 18th minute but the striker's acrobatic attempt was wide off the post. The visitors took the lead against the run of play as Boipelo Oaitse rose highest to head home Modiri Kealebetse's cross on the 27th minute. The tempo of the match rose after the goal as tackles flew.
With two minutes to the break, Kudzanani Machadzani committed a foul on Nato.
The veteran midfielder retaliated, as the foul was not called by the match referee and elbowed Machadzani. The referee issued a straight red card to Nato leaving Gunners to battle the remaining 47 minutes with 10 men. Notwane made most of the additional man as Pyele struck in to the bottom corner to level the matters as the two teams went into the break level at 1-1.
From a rather slower start to the second half, Oaitse headed straight into the goalkeeper's hands on 57th minute. Six minutes later, Machandzani's half volley in the box hit the cross bar. Sechaba got the match winner on the 72nd minute as Molemi Dubuile hit the top corner from just outside the box. Speaking to journalists after the match, Gunners' interim coach, Mothusi Kenosi, felt the dismissal was unjust and heavily impacted the defeat on the day. "The red card spoiled our game plan because he was a key player in our team. I felt the referee failed to manage the situation. There was squabble and retaliations from both ends but he took a decision that affected the game badly for us. We will take the results as it is, there is nothing we can do," said Kenosi.
The teams:
Notwane: Basimanebotlhe Moilwa, Kamogelo Kashiwa, Mphoyamodimo Keipone, Keothomile Motshudi (Tumelo Thebe), Joseph Pyele (Bokamoso Moncho), Kudzanani Machadzani, Goalatlhe Mbaiwa (Botsetswe Othusegile), Molemi Dibuile, Sthembile Mbuqe, Thabang Ofitlhile, Donald Botshoma
Gunners: Wame Marembe, Thato Bolelweng, Katlego Mothibi, Benson Mosokobanji, Mosimagape Ntwaetsile, Ofentse Nato, Pako Modikwa (Thuso Keraetswe), Atholang Jeremane, Boipelo Oaitse (Boyo Lechaena), Brine Mankanku, Modiri Kealebetse (Goitseone Bokhutlo)
Cautions: Mbaiwa, Bolelweng, Kealebetse Dismissal: Nato
Notwane 2 (Pyele 45+1, Dibuile 72nd) Gunners 1 (Oaitse 27th)