Chiefs maul visiting Motlakase
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday August 17, 2015 18:00
New signing, Charles Mutero got his first start in a competitive match while South African Mkhanyasile Siwahla sat on the bench for Chiefs.
Umar Ngobi led the visitors’ attack. The game started on a low pace with both teams looking to gain control of the game, but neither could. Motlakase looked good on the defence as their full backs handled Pontsho Moloi and Senatla Molefe well.
In the seventh minute, Moloi put a cross in to the box but Lesego Galenamotlhale’s kick went over the bar. Chiefs used their full back to try to unlock the visitors’ stubborn defence with little success. In the 34th minute, Chiefs’ skipper Moloi went past Phinnius Kgotlaang and found Tendai Nyumasi in the box. Nyumasi’s volley was saved by Siamang Kgosipula.
Three minutes later, Chiefs conceded a free kick in front of the box, but Thato Kebue failed to score. In the 40th minute, Chiefs were forced to make a substitute as Mpho Kgaswane replaced the injured Galenamotlhale.
Motlakase frustrated Chiefs for most of the first half, while the host struggled to get to their usual carpet football.
Two minutes in to the second half, Molefe converted from a tight angle as he beat Kgosipula near the posts after a solo display, to give Chiefs the lead. Nyumasi doubled the host’s lead two minutes later, after his header connected well with Molefe’s cross. Keaketswe Moloi failed to increase the defending champions’ lead in the 67th minute with his header going over the bar.
Othusitse Pilane delivered a good cross into the box and Moloi made no mistake when he headed home, to increase his team’s lead in the 69th minute. Siwahla made his Chiefs’ debut from the bench when he replaced Molefe in the 75th minute. Chiefs conceded another free kick in front of the box, but Thabo Mosielele ballooned his effort.
Chiefs coach, Mike Sithole said he was happy with his team’s play and that they have kept a clean sheet for the second game.
“It was important to keep a clean sheet. Though we struggled in the first half, we managed to change the tactics into a more attacking play in the second half,” he said.
He however refused to single out Molefe. Let us not talk about one player, the team played as whole, we are starting to gel as team, as the defending champions we know we are a team to beat,” he said.
Team’s line-ups:
Chiefs: Mmopoloki Sephekolo, Othusitse Pilane, Charles Mutero, Kaelo Kgaswane, Lesego Galenamotlhale (Mpho Kgaswane), Jackie Mothathego, Tendai Nyumasi, Senatla Molefe (Mkhanyasile Siwahla), Keaketswe Moloi (Onalethata Tshekiso), Pontsho Moloi
Motlakase: Siamang Kgoispula, Phillip Ofitlhile, Thabo Mosielele, Phinnius Kgotlaang (Buyane Kgomotso), Kebathabile Montle, Tumisang Orebonye, Botshelo Lorato, Thato Kebue, Gape Mohutsiwa, Umar Ngobi (Othusitse Mahube), Lapologang Motlogi
Cautions: Botshelo Lorato, Tumisang Orebonye
Chiefs 3 (Molefe 47th, Nyumasi 49th, K. Moloi 69th)
Motlakase 0