Late Chiefs goal denies Nico
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday November 30, 2015 10:58
In the opening minutes, both set of players played scrappy football finding it difficult to link passes let alone control the ball on the wet surface.
Magosi drew the first promising threat in the 7th minute when Onalethata Tshekiso sent through Pontsho Moloi box, but Nico was alert to the danger. Two minute later, Nico’s Oaitse Mampori tested Mompoloki Sephekolo with a long range shot which was parried out.
The home side drew first blood when in the 15th minute Nelson Moreetsi sent a long cross to the back post for Spencer Ngalande to head down across the box.
The Chiefs defence made a mess of the clearance that tricked goalkeeper, Wrist Sephekolo as the ball slipped under his arm and Christopher Musonda pounced. The goal injected pace into the game as Nico sat back, forcing Chiefs to play deep. Magosi almost equalised at the end of the first half, but Lemponye Tshireletso saw the ball cleared as he was about to pull the trigger.
After the break, Majombolo continued to congest the midfield and had more men behind the ball each time when in possession. Magosi kept pressing, but could not penetrate the hard tackling Nico defence. Chiefs found the equaliser in the 83rd minute when Mampori fouled Tshireletso on the edge of the 18 yard box and substitute Jackie Motlhatlego drove home.
Moments later, Chiefs nearly doubled with Senatla Molefhe who found himself unmarked at the far post but the pint sized attacker failed to connect with Tshireletso’s corner.
Nico’s coach, Wesley Mondo was happy with the result.
“Look we came into this game looking to get an early goal and we did. I brought in two guys after the break to consolidate our midfield and unfortunately we conceded towards the end, but we are happy, Chiefs is a big team,” he said.
His counterpart, Mike Sithole said the draw was not a bad result. “We conceded early and it messed our plan. Nico defended very well and we had to change our attacking strategy. We introduced some new faces and it paid dividends. The league is a marathon and a point is not that bad,” he said.
Nico: Kagiso Rankabekwa, Oteng Legwaila, Onkabetse Seforo, Oaitse Mampori, Otsile Batang, Thatayaone Dithokwe, Nelson Moreetsi, Gift Moyo (Onkabetse Makgantai), Spencer Ngalande (Trinity Nko), Christopher Musonda, Khumoetsile Kufigwa
Chiefs: Mompoloki Sephekolo, Othusitse Pilane, Kaelo Kgaswane, Lesego Galenamothale, Keabetswe Jenamiso, Lesego Molemogi (Mothatlego), pontsho Moloi (Molefhe), Tendai Nyumasi, Onalethata Tshekiso, Dirang Moloi, Lemponye Tshireletso
Cautions: Keabetswe Jenamiso
Match officials: Kutlwano Leso (Referee) Sekokotelo Lesole, Lucky Rankebekwa (assistant referees) Mooketsi Mbekwa (fourth official)
Nico United (1) 1 (Musonda 15th)
Mochudi Centre Chiefs (0) 1 (Mothatego 81st)