Marang clinch Copa Coca - Cola gold
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday July 8, 2016 14:36
Attacking midfielder, Kagiso Disang scored a stunning winner from outside the box in the second half after his teammate, Botshelo Ledibogo had put them back in the game with an equaliser before the two sides went into a break. Ntebogang had initially taken the lead with a beautiful goal from Lame Mathe.
The Kanye-based school kicked off the match as the better side with Alpheous Taukobong and Mathe looking very dangerous on the ball. They created chances early on and were rewarded when Marang goalkeeper made a terrible mistake trying to pass to his teammate. Mathe intercepted and left the crowd thrilled with a spectacular finish, chipping the ball over the goalkeeper.
A jubilant Marang coach, Kealeboga Shonja said his players showed determination as evidenced by the comeback.
“We started with a 4-5-1 system because we wanted to study this team first before we could add numbers in front. Then we realised it was time to attack and we did,” he said. Marang have not lost a single game in this year’s edition. Last year, they tumbled out in the first stage of the games.
Ntebogang coach, Ditiro Motshegare was also happy with his players despite losing out in the final.
“It was a very good game and very tactical. We knew Marang had good players with individual brilliance so we had to be very tactical in order to match them,” he said.
He spoke highly of his two playmakers, Mathe and Taukobong who he said carry incredible skill and intelligence although they lack speed.
In the girls‚ Under-15 match, Pandagala JSS overcame Bathanani JSS 2-0 to clinch gold. Captain, Unabo Bengani and Ogorona Batho scored the goals, capitalising on Bathanani goalkeeper, Chedza Dema’s mistakes. “The girls tried their best considering that we were in the final for the first time. Stage fright also played a role in our loss. Hopefully next year we will be here again and will do much better,” Bathanani coach, Koketso Tladi told Mmegi Sport after the match.
His counterpart, Unison Kepaletswe said it was a tough final, but expected it.
“We destroyed their midfield so that there is no supply for their strikers and that is how we won the match,” he said. He said his other secret for this year’s success is that they start preparations as early as the third term.
Meanwhile, Radisele JSS routed Chichi JSS 13-2 to win the girls’ Under-17 Copa Coca-Cola title. In the boys’ Under-17, Etsha JSS staged an incredible comeback from being 2-0 down against Mookane JSS at halftime to win 3-2. Mookane dominated the first half and deservedly went into the halftime break leading 2-0. However, Etsha settled well in the second half to win their first gold in the competition.
Coach, Oarabile Batang could not hide his excitement and revealed he has been building the team since 2014.
“We were knocked out in the zonal competitions, the previous years. Most of these players are doing Form Three as you can see from the experience they showed today. I assessed our opponents and realised that their full backs are slow. So we played balls behind them,” he said.
THE REST OF RESULTS
Under-15 girls
Radisele JSS (bronze)
Bathanani JSS (silver)
Pandagala JSS (gold)
Under-15 boys
Mmei JSS (bronze)
Ntebogang JSS (silver)
Marang JSS (gold)
Under-17 girls
Ramokgonami JSS (bronze)
ChiChi JSS (silver)
Radisele JSS (gold)
Under-17 boys
Orapa JSS (bronze)
Mookane JSS (silver)
Etsha JSS (gold)