Positive Start For Green Lovers

Koketso Kgoboge | Monday August 10, 2015 15:03

The game started with both teams failing to string passes let alone threaten the 18 yard area until past the first quarter when Green Lovers in their 4-3-3 formation took the initiative and started taking the game to their opponents. On the 19th minute, Lovers’ marksman Ralesotla had a wondrous chance when he found himself unmarked in the 18 yard, but hurriedly directed his shot into the arms of the goalkeeper.  In the next minute, Lovers left back delivered a pin point cross to Tomeletso Tomeletso who chased down for Ralesotla but the striker fired over the bar.

Sensing danger, Nico, who had been sitting on their 4-1-2-3 formation started to work themselves back into the game with their talisman Makgantai threatening on the right side, but failed to break into the box.

But Lovers continued to pile pressure on Majombolo’s defence and on the 30th minute their threats paid dividends after their nippy captain Rentse Keakabetse sent Tumo Keiketlile past the defence with a clinical pass, which he calmly put into an empty net after beating the advancing goalkeeper.

Four minutes after the goal, Nico substituted Obakeng Gaanabeng for Gift Moyo and the teams went into a recess at 1-0.

Nico came back from the dressing room in a 4-4-1-1 formation to congest the middle of the park, while Lovers stuck to their 4-3-3. Seven minutes after recess, miscommunication between Lovers’ keeper and defender ended in a short back pass that Makgantai pounced into and rounded the goalkeeper to level matters. Three minutes later, Nico’s striker Christopher Musonda scored with a low drive to the far corner.

Lovers countered with two subs, and switched to a standard 4-4-2 formation bringing in Botshelo and Radipampiri for Tamapo and Tomeletso. Their tactical change worked 10 minutes after the change when Radipampiri received a cross from the left, plucked it on the air and Ralesotla who was unmarked in the 16 yard converted with a header. Radipampiri beat Nico’s right back, rushed into the box and took a shot, which the goalkeeper failed to contain and Ralesotla pounced to send the Lovers supporters into wild celebrations.

Lovers played with confidence and could have scored another with a counter attack as Nico pressed high forward, but Ralesotla couldn’t find his striking partner who was unmarked at the other end.

Green Lovers: Kemmonye Nyangane, Pearl Marope, Ignitious Ramasala, Onthusitse Tamapo (Pako Botshelo 68th), Esau Tiroyamodimo, Batshani Mafika, Kebaabetswe Kediseng, Rentse Keakabetse, Tomeletso Tomeletso (Doctor Radipampiri 68th), Pako Ross, Edwin Tshimologo

Nico United: Kagiso Rankabewa, Obakeng Gaanabeng (Gift Moyo), Otsile Batang, Nelson Moreetsi, Onkabetse Makgantai, Lucas Mothata, Arnold Mampori (Samson Mogomotsi 85th), Khumoetsile Kufigwa, Innocent Sikhungu, Taboka Daniel, Christopher Musonda

Green Lovers 3 (Keiketlile 30th, Ralesotla 78th, 83rd) 

Nico 2 (Makgantai 52nd, Musonda 55th)