Chiefs Demolish Hapless Highlanders
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday August 10, 2015 14:46
Jackie Mothathego and Moamogedi Thatogo made competitive debuts for Chiefs and Highlanders respectively while last season top goal scorer Lemponye Tshireletso started on the bench.
The game started with Chiefs controlling the ball possession in the first five minutes. Nine minutes into the game, winger Senatla Molefe made good run through the visitors’ defence and laid a cross to Pontsho Moloi who slotted into an empty net to give Magosi the lead. Three minutes later, Tendai Nyumasi failed to double Chiefs’ lead with his header going over the bar.
In the 16th minutes, Molefe again charged through the opposition’s defence and delivered a cross to Keaketswe Moloi whose header hit the upright. Highlanders keeper, Kabo Ntswaneng denied Moloi on a one-on-one encounter, after the latter received a through from skipper Moloi.
Leteng Legopelo produced a goal line clearance after Nyumasi beat the goalkeeper and shot at goal. In 38th minute after a good interplay with Molefe, Othusitse Pilane delivered a cross in to the box, but Moloi failed to capitalise with a header. With two minutes to recess, Moloi got his first goal of the season when he connected well with Pilane’s cross to give Chiefs a 2-0 lead into break.
Molefe got on the loose ball after the visitors made a defensive blunder and laid a cross to Moloi who put one past Ntswaneng to grab a brace in the 47th. Chiefs wingers Molefe and skipper Moloi continued to terrorise Mag Stimela’s shaky defence and in the 57th minute Moloi delivered a telling cross into the box and Nyumasi rose high to increase the visitors lead.
A few minutes later Moloi nearly got a hat trick, but his header hit the cross bar. Tshireletso replaced Molefe mid way the second half while Atang Mmualefe made his Premier league debut when he came in for captain Moloi. Otlarongwa Nthumolang pulled a long range, but it was well saved by Mmopoloki Sephekolo. Kopano Kgamanyane made an instant impact after coming on as he made a through ball to Tshireletso and laid a low cross to Mothathego, who grabbed his first goal in Chiefs’ colours in the 80th minute. Sephekolo once denied the visitors a consolation goal as he dealt with Nthumolang shot.
Chiefs coach, Mike Sithole said he was happy with his team’ play noting that they upped their game in the second half. “We are very good at controlling and happy that with started with a win,” he said.
His counterpart, Tebogo Moue was however disappointed to start the league with a loss. “We played a very good Chiefs’ side, though I am disappointed with our play, I cannot crucify my players,” he said.
The teams’ line-ups:
Chiefs: Mmopoloki Sephekolo, Othusitse Pilane, Mpho Rudolph Kgaswane, Kaelo Kgaswane, Keabetswe Jenamiso, Lesego Galenamotlhale, Pontsho Moloi (Atang Mmualefe), Jackie Mothathego, Keaketswe Moloi, Tendai Nyumasi (Kopano Kgamanyane), Senatla Molefe (Lemponye Tshireletso)
Highlanders: Kabo Ntswaneng, Leteng Legopelo, Agisanyang Rammabya, Kgakagamatso Ramotsosa, Gofamodimo Samuel, Tapiwa Nyamanjiva, Temo Keorileng (Onkokame Matsela), Salas Kemiso. Bryan Kobe (Batisani Josiah), Kitso Chalashika (Otlarongwa Nthumolang), Moamogedi Thatogo
Chiefs 5 (P. Moloi 9th, K. Moloi 43rd, 48th, Nyumasi 57th, Mothathego 80th)
Highlanders 0