Gunners Hold Chiefs

Calistus Kolantsho | Monday January 19, 2015 15:54

Gunners drew first blood in the 26th minute when Pako Modikwa slid home after brilliant work on the right from Katlego Keobake.

With Gunners in firm control, Chiefs defender, Willboard Mutale restored parity with a headed goal in the 40th minute, doing justice to a Galabgwe Moyana set piece.  The draw saw Chiefs trim Rollers’ advantage at the top to three points after the leaders suffered a surprise first league defeat at the hands of Police XI on Saturday.

Gunners maintained their good run, playing exciting football although they lost coach, Draglo Stanolojovic who was sent off for an early shower in the second stanza. Brilliant Gunners midfielder, Topo Piet tested Chiefs keeper, Mompoloki Sephekolo with a long range shot in the 18th minute.

The goalkeeper comfortably dealt with the threat. Lemponye Tshireletso had an attempt at goal but his shot went wild in the 28th minute. Gunners saw  Monageng Thaele free kick fly over the bar after 30thminute.

Thaele was later stretched off after a collision with Sephekolo and had to be ferried to the hospital. Pontsho Moloi hit the side net under pressure from defender, Isaac Paeye in the 32 minute.

The first half ended with both teams having lots of scoring chances. Moyana took a long-range grass cutter and missed the target in the 53 minute.

Chiefs introduced the fresh legs of Tendai Nyumasi  for David Makakaba in the 57th minute.

Chiefs coach, Mike Sithole told Sport Monitor they did not play well, attributing it to the festive break.  However, he said the point was not a bad result although they wanted maximum points.

Gunners player, Desire Bafana said they knew Chiefs was dangerous in set pieces and they had a strategy to defend. Bafana said they stuck to the game plan with the guidance of senior players after the dismissal of the coach.

“We committed a lot of fouls in the first half and that gave our opponents an upper hand because they have aerial advantage. We will go back and work on our mistakes,”

Bafana said.

Line ups:

Chiefs: Sephekolo, Sekgabo Molebatsi, Ontse Ntesa, Mutale, Keabetswe Jenamiso, Ocean Mpofu, Moloi (Keaketswe Moloi 69), Makakaba (Nyumasi 54), Onalethata Tshekiso, Tshireletso (Senatla Molefhe 84), Moyana.

Coach: Sithole

Gunners: Wagarre Dikago, Isaac Paeye, Keobake, Bafana, Tshepo Maikano, Kemmy Pilato (Tshepo Molefhe 84), Kelelelo Kgosimore (Letlhogonolo Mosala 70), Mosimanegape Ntwaetsile, Modikwa, Piet, Thaele (Jomo Moatlhaping 64).

Coach: Stanojolovic

Caution: Dikago 38, Piet 83,

Red: Stanojolovic

Gunners 1 (Modikwa 26)

Chiefs    1 (Mutale 40)