Chiefs Halt Orapa�s Charge
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday March 7, 2016 14:23
The game started an hour late due to floodlights problem and saw Orapa United’s assistant coach Chippa Koolese rushed to hospital with a suspected mild stroke at halftime.
The home side took the game to the visitors forcing them to make errors, but Chiefs failed to capitalise from the set pieces.
In the 23rd minute, skipper Pontsho Moloi forced a good save from Mosimanegape Robert when he connected well with flicked heading pass from Nyumasi.
Seven minutes later Lemponye Tshireletso received a through ball from Nyumasi, but the latter’s low drive was well collected by Robert. The teams went to recess to end a half characterised by rough tackles, but the referee kept his cards in the pocket.
Both teams returned with guns blazing and Nyumasi tried from long range, but his effort was narrowly wide before Patrick Lenyeletse tapped in Lesenya Ramoraka’s cross but the goal was ruled offside. In the 58th minute, Lemogang Maswena who was a thorn in the Chiefs’ defence broke away with pace but was denied by Mmompoloki Sephekolo in a one-on-one situation.
Thabang Mosige saved Orapa from a Tshireletso effort with Robert well beaten. Nyumasi rose highest to head home Thatayaone Ramatlapeng’s corner kick to give Chiefs the lead in the 78th minute. Chiefs nearly doubled their lead in the 89th minute after a good counter attack, but the advancing Robert denied Nyumasi.
“I’m happy to have collected three points. It was number two playing a number three so I am happy.
I do not have depth and these boys are fighting. We did not have a striker but whoever was there was creative, he played well,” said Cheifs’ coach Mike Sithole. His opposite number, Madinda Ndlovu believes his team had a chance to win the game. “We play good football to create scoring opportunities for the supporters. Every player should be protected regardless of who he is,” he said.
Chiefs: Mmompoloki Sephekolo, Othusitse Pilane, Thato Kebue, Keabetswe Jenamiso, Kaelo Kgaswane, Arnold Mampori, Lesego Galenamotlhale, Senatla Molefe(Thatayaone Ramatlapeng), Tendai Nyumasi, Lemponye Tshireletso, Pontsho Moloi (Lesego Molemogi)
Orapa: Mosimanegape Robert, Kealeboga Molebatsi, Lesenya Ramoraka, Olekantse Mambo, Thabang Mosige, Mgcini Sibanda, Patrick Motsepe, Ronald Chikomo(Lovemore Murirwa), Bonolo Fraiser (Thabang Sesinyi), Patrick Lenyeletse, Lemogang Maswena(Onkabetse Makgantai)
Caution: Kgaswane
Chiefs 1 (Nyumasi 78th)
Orapa United 0