BMC Fail The Litmus Test

By Chippa Legodimo
Correspondent | Monday May 19, 2008 00:00

 

The relegation-threatened BMC never played like they were in a precarious position just kicking the ball around and showing no intention to outclass the brothers.

Six minutes into the game, burly striker Senzo Moyo initiated a move in midfield connecting with Kenanao Kgetholetsile who set up Owen Ferguson on the far left.

Then the former Boteti Young Fighters man clinically drove the ball home to send the few spectators into ecstasy.Two minutes later, Kgetholetsile managed to beat the entire defence but Ecco's goal minder Michael Onkutule pulled off a brilliant save.  From that moment, the game turned into a see-saw affair with both teams failing to burry their chances.

It was the two goalkeepers, Onkutule and Chencherai Dube, who came into the spotlight, as strikers from both sides often broke loose from their markers to put them under pressure.In the 32nd minute, Moyo combined well with Bobo Motlhalane and the stocky former Jwaneng Comets' midfielder released a powerful shot which Onkutule managed to punch away.Dube was called on to make another brave save just minutes before the half time whistle, when Robert Tamba eluded Shepard Mosekgwa and released a powerful low shot.

Mosekgwa struggled for almost the entire game repeatedly missing kicks and with Tumisang Sekanonyane busy closing down the dangerous Tamba, the veteran former BDF XI defender often found himself in desperate need of cover.From the break, BMC again showed little purpose in their play with only Ferguson looking determined to continue with his first half performance as he covered almost all the field. Three minutes after the re-start, Selala, who did a good job in central midfield, found himself unmarked in the box.

With keeper Dube at his wits end, he easily slotted the ball home to even matters. Selala often got the better of Motlhalane who did little to dominate the engine room not attempting to even get the ball back after losing possession and lacking his usual creativity to make his team- mates click.

BMC supporters were left in awe when Moyo ballooned a perfect scoring chance over the cross bar after beating the whole defence.

With only Onkutule to beat, the Zimbabwean made the wrong choice and put too much weight behind the ball when all he needed was to entice the keeper before rounding him.Some 17 minutes before the final whistle, BMC earned a corner kick and captain Mosimanegape Ramohibidu delivered a perfect ball to Kgetholetsile who nodded home to put his team in the driving seat again.

But ECCO started pressing for another equaliser and given the shaky BMC defence, it was not long in coming. Selala was in the thick of things 9 minutes before stoppage time but once again Dube managed to clear the dirt after his defence deserted him.

But the Francistown side were not giving up yet while the hosts seemed to be too relaxed. Gaboratanelwe 'Radio' Kgosietsile came on with only four minutes left and his first touch was a free kick which he scored with such precision that Dube was left stranded between the posts.

The result has left BMC hoping for a miracle that both Mogoditshane Fighters and TASC lose their remaining games. But with their current form, they could still find themselves in the dusty First Division grounds even if God helped them against fellow relegation candidates.

Unless they change their attitude it is most unlikely that BMC will beat BDF XI in the last game next week. Two wins in their last two games were going to put them on 38 points and save them from relegation but they now stand to only finish at 36 points if they manage to get maximum points against BDF XI.