Ecco down rivals in pre-season tourney
Chakalisa Dube | Monday June 29, 2015 14:30
ECCO won 2-1 in the Buy’n Build sponsored one-day tournament dubbed ‘Dlala Bolo Cup’, featuring only the two teams. ECCO were rewarded with P10 000 and gold medals while TAFIC pocketed P 5 000.
But the game did not live up to expectation of the supporters who thronged the Francistown stadium. There was little spark in the match perhaps a factor that can be attributed to the fact that it is still pre-season and players are still gelling.
Only ECCO’s Mofokeng and TAFIC’s veteran midfielder, Phutego Modipe seemed to have it together. The latter, however, gave away a cheap free kick in the edge of the area, which resulted in ECCO’s opener.
Mofokeng through his pace gave TAFIC defenders a hard time for most of the proceedings. It was ECCO that tested TAFIC goalkeeper, Thatayaone Thandazela on several occasions. Mofokeng was denied twice by Thandazela in the first half. The South African, however, played part in ECCO’s opener in the 33rd minute. Thandazela failed to effectively deal with Mofokeng’s free kick as he parried the ball directly in the legs of incoming striker Onkgolotse Senatla to easily convert. ECCO continued to pile pressure on TAFIC, but they were nearly caught on the break in the 45th minute after Modipe released striker, Kemoreng Batisani with a well timed pass. Batisani did the unthinkable though, sending his short wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. After the break, ECCO continued where they left. They were rewarded for their efforts in the in 75th minute when Mofokeng spectacularly headed a cross from left to take the match beyond reach.
Ten minutes later, TAFIC found the back of the net through striker Amantle Boikhutso. Boikhutso cleverly navigated his way through two ECCO defenders before looping the ball over an advancing Boitumelo Semaatla who had a not so busy day.
TAFIC wasted two glorious opportunities in the last five minutes of the match. Substitute, Allen Dewere found himself with goal keeper to beat on both occasions but sent his initial short wide and shot directly at the goalie in the second.