Chiefs title hopes end in thrilling draw
Chakalisa Dube | Monday April 28, 2014 10:59
As usual, the duel between the two sides lived up to expectations and produced sparks. For Chiefs, the match was very important in that a win would give them the title if Miscellaneous beat eventual champions, Township Rollers.
They started the game like a house on fire forcing numerous saves from man of the match Chamonorwa Madamombe in the ECCO goal.
With less than five minutes of play, Lemponye Tshireletso who has experienced mixed fortunes since joining Chiefs early this season forced a save from Madamombe with a close range shot.
In the 15th minute, Bonolo Fraizer wasted a glorious opportunity to put Chiefs infront after he received a cross down the left from Tshireletso. The marksman did the unthinkable, sending the ball over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Before the horrible miss, ECCO talisman, Tendai Nyumasi had forced a save for goalkeeper, Raphael Nthwane. Attacking midfielder, Pontsho Moloi failed to find the back of the net, shooting straight at Madamombe after navigating his way through the ECCO defence.
Though ECCO did not create many opportunities in the first half, they dictated terms in midfield through Nyumasi and a rejuvenated Malepa Bolelang.
They were punished towards the end of the half when Chiefs’ skipper, Moloi volleyed home a rebound from Madamombe. After the break ECCO continued their midfield domination and created more opportunities than Chiefs. This forced Chiefs coach, Mike Sithole to introduce the defensive Michael Mogaladi to regain the initiative.
Nyumasi thought that he has equalised at the start of the second half when he hit a superb free-kick that beat a hapless Nthwane all the way. However, the referee disallowed the goal because he had awarded an indirect free-kick.
The undeterred ECCO pulled level in the 60th minute when Nyumasi tapped in a loose ball after miscommunication between Chiefs defence and Nthwane. The Francistown pressed forward for the winner, but were let down by poor finishing while Chiefs also missed a number of opportunities through Tshireletso and Moloi.