Lesirane hold sharps to 1-1 draw
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday September 8, 2014 10:40
Sharps broke the deadlock from the spot in the 40th minute through Ofentse Chitutu while Ephraim Amon answered for Lesirane in the 57th minute.
The visitors’ goal came when Sharps goalkeeper, Richard Mushebe fisted the ball back into play after a set piece. The rebound found Amon who did not waste time to hit the net.
The two sides were making their debut in the First Division. The match started with Lesirane pushing to get an early goal. In the 15th minute, Moagi Seadimo’s attempt for Lesirane went over the crossbar.
Sharps came into the game seeking to revenge two defeats from Lesirane in the promotion play-offs. But things did not go according to plan as the visitors started on a high note, piling pressure on Sharps through Bonno Mosea and Reginald Maikutlo. Both sides missed several chances as the match gathered steam. In the second half, Lesirane wasted two gilt-edged chances in the 50th and 54th. In the 70th minute, Lesirane bamboozled Sharps with quick passes in a well-worked move, but Amos failed to apply the finishing touch. The move released Tebogo Mapungwi, who made a good run on the left past his man before laying the ball to Amon who could not connect.
Sharps coach, Wilfred Mahaja told Monitor Sport that the game did not go according to plan. He said they could have wrapped the game in the first half, but finishing was their undoing. Mahaja regretted that they did not utilise their chances. “The First Division has no mercy just like the Premier League. We have to go back and strategise,” he said.
Lesirane coach, Midas Maseke explained that his players lost possessions easily yet before the game, the plan was to hold the ball, create space and pass. He explained that some of Sharps players have Premier League experience and can press the ball and to counter this, his players to rely on pace.