Troubled Fighters Hold Prisons XI
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday October 19, 2015 10:23
Fighters have not been training for a week and the players only met at the match venue.
The two sides started the match in high tempo with Fighters getting a set piece after Kutlwano Sentsho was brought down in the 20th minute. The resultant kick did not benefit the visitors as it flew out. Mogami Makwatje and Tatenda Mbikiwa broke on the counter immediately after but Fighters goalkeeper, Botlhe Moralo kept them at bay.
Fighters’ Daniel Mogapi failed to connect with a pass from James Moloi after making a brilliant run into the box in the 28th minute.
Two minutes later, Tumo Lebanna’s shot was saved by Moralo before Moloi’s header flew over the crossbar. Poloko Chabi was unable to score for Fighters as his long range missile missed the target by a few inches just before the break.
Prisons XI introduced the fresh legs of midfielder, Rapelang Oagile at the start of the second half, but it was Fighters who had an opportunity in Gaanosi Mashabane in the 47th minute whose shot was off target.
Fighters also made changes by throwing in Gobe Maphane to replace Chabi in the 55th minute, but neither team could break the deadlock. Prisons XI coach, Kaelo Montwedi could not hide his disappointment over missed opportunities. He said he was building a new team and success cannot come overnight.
“Age has caught up with my senior players hence I have introduced youngsters. It’s all about being patient with my charges,” he said.
Mpho Mabogo of Fighters said he was impressed with his players. He said they had not trained the whole week and only met at the match venue.
“Players have not been training due to some issues with the management. I am the only one running the team. The entire management has left. It is not easy to work under such conditions,” said Mabogo.
He said missing chances was disappointing, but a draw was not a bad result.
Fighters: Botlhe Moralo, Karabo Moreri, Kabo Ngongorego, Samson Ramakoba, Ishamael Nettey, Moagi Mokoment, Pako Mogoshe, Poloko Chabi (Gobe Maphane 55th), James Moloi, Daniel Mogapi and Gaanosi Mashabane.
Prisons: Andrew Race, Condry Masire, Godirelemang Oteng, Mogami Makwatje, Patrick Monang, Oteng Kenaope, Keitiretse Madikwe (Rapelang Oagile 45th), Tumo Lebanna, Tatenda Mbikiwa, Francis Kanda and Kutlwano Sentsho.