Chiefs hels in Phikwe

Chakalisa Dube | Monday October 6, 2014 06:59

 

It was match in which the two teams exhibited poor defensive skills especially when it comes to square balls. The two goals all scored in almost identical circumstances. Chiefs will count themselves lucky for having earned a draw having displayed poor performance on the day.

Chiefs’ coach Mike Sithole kept faith on the off form Kekaetswe Moloi who seemed to be on holiday for the entire duration of the match. 

They created few goal scoring opportunities than their home team.

The Saturday encounter saw four former key players at ECCO City Greens last season, lining up against each other for the first time since they left the troubled club a few months ago. Tendai Nyumasi and Keabetswe Jenamiso represented Chiefs while the hosts had Trinity Nko and Mogomotsi Samson on their side. It was Nyumasi who gave the visitors a goal in the third minute after Nico defenders failed to clear Lemponye Tshireletso’s corner. Nyumasi controlled the ball with his chest before smashing past Nico United goalkeeper, Edwin Mokibe.

The hosts replied in the 13th minute when two-goal hero Malvyin Moyo connected a cross from Samson and beat Raphael Nthwane who had an eventful day in goals.

Nthwane produced a brilliant save parrying away Mogomotsi Mokoka’s shot. Chiefs had a few troubles in the first half. First Othusitse Pilane was forced out due to injury within over 20 minutes into the match, before a 28 minute straight red card to Sekgabo Molebatsi for kicking Moyo in an off the ball incident.Nthwane made another good save tworads the end of the first half, denying Mokoka once again. The teams were tied at 1-1 at half time.

Just less than five minutes into the second half, Nthwane was tested once gain but again denied Nico United the lead. First he blocked Gift Moyo’s shot and denied Mokoka from the rebound. Nico continued to control proceedings but were let down by lack of predatory instincts upfront.

The hosts were punished in the 72nd minutes with Wilbroad Mutale capitalising on their poor defending. 

Two minutes later lack of concentration by Chiefs led to Nico’s equaliser. An unmarked Moyo tapped the ball past Nthwane from a Richard Legwaila corner kick to complete his brace.

The last chance of the match fell to Nyumasi in stoppage time, after he was set up by substitute Senatla Ayanda Molefe with a low through ball.

The Zimbabwean shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Magosi striker Bonolo Fraizer also came against his former club in the middle of the second stanza of the match but failed to spark.