Tamirepi sighs huge relief

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Tuesday January 13, 2009 00:00

Fighters looked like they had wrapped the match up until the last 15 minutes when Ezinkomo started throwing everything at them with Ramohibidu ultimately heading in a well taken Modise '10-10' Motswadi corner to ensure that his team returned to Lobatse with at least a point.

Moleboge Moleboge struck earlier in the first half for the Brazilians as Letang Kgengwenyane's troops looked unstoppable with their high pace game, quickly closing down their opponents and attacking them at lightning speed after gaining possession. Fighters' striker Sadat Sinare gave Thabo 'Booster' Mothibi a hard time in defence with his strong shielding of the ball and electrifying pace while the defence kept BMC's towering striker Tapela Ngwenya no chance in front of goal.

That Tamirepi decided to start with the lanky Zimbabwean forward wide on the left instead of his usual target man position only helped the opponents to relax a little bit as Ngwenya is not such a crafty player who can use skill to get away from closing defenders and also lacks pace. Fighters' Mandla Mgadla terrorised Ramohibidu on the right flank with his skill often ensuring that the BMC wingback had very little time to surge forward and add numbers to the attack.On the right side, Fighters' dreadlocked and nippy Kitso Moraganyane also enjoyed good form with near perfect crosses, which unfortunately were not fully utilised by his strikers. The youngster has an 'educated' left foot and no matter how tight the angle is he always manages to send in a dangerous cross.

Perhaps the best decision from the BMC bench came at the start of the second half with the introduction of veteran midfield magician Motswadi who managed to stabilise the engine room and get the likes of Omphemetse Molapo and Kenanao Kgetholetsile back into the match.Motswadi was unlucky when his last minute strike did not result in a goal after Barolong 'Toldo' Lemmenyane let it slip in the first instance before recovering well to catch it before it crossed the line.Before the introduction of Motswadi BMC were 'following' Fighters' quick game and were clearly not comfortable with that type of play.

Fighters should have scored more goals especially in the first half when their counter attacks looked promising but they lacked composure in front of goal and when BMC stepped up gear they found themselves without the right answers.

Fighters have a tricky assignment this Saturday when they visit second-placed Gaborone United (GU) at the UB Stadium. As for BMC, they will be involved in Lobatse derby on Sunday when they host neighbours Extension Gunners at the UB Stadium. All matches kick off at 4pm.