Jwaneng Fighters Take Charge
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday February 25, 2019 12:56
The two teams came into the game level at 26 points each, but Lions had a better goal advantage.
Fighters have now opened a three points lead with eight games remaining.
Seven minutes into the game, Serati Semadi outpaced his marker and went for a shot but was parried back into play.
Chabaesele Mositwane shot wide from the rebound. In the 36th minute, Fighters missed a goal opportunity as Boitumelo Mafoko from inside the box shot over the bar. Three minutes later, Fighters opened the scores, Kemo Pumpkin from the right wing beat the goalkeeper to the far post as the visitors held a 1-0 lead in to the break.
Fighters came into the second half looking to find a cushion goal as Lions struggled to get on their rhythm.
Lions were reduced by a man as Tumisang Sekanonyane was given his marching order for a nasty tackle on Buyalo.
In the 64th minute, substitute Tshepang Molefe hit the upright with a shot from just outside the box.
In the 70th minute, another missed chance by Lions as substitute Thabiso Keakitse rose highest but his header hit the post. Fighters were awarded a penalty after Buyalo was brought down inside the box. Substitute, Karabo Nakata stepped up by was denied by Mabitso Rapowa with splendid save.
Two minutes, the visitors doubled their lead Keaotshepa Omphile with a low hit shot to the bottom corner. Lions tried to salvage something from the game but it was a little too late as Fighters bagged the three points.
“They came prepared, we played bad from the first to the last minute. We gave them an easy goals, when we tried to come back but we lost our most experienced player and it was difficult. We missed a lot of chances but am worried about how we defended today,” Lions coach, Paradzayi Madivenga said after the game.
His counterpart, Andrew Tlou admitted the pressure being at the top but said his team could go all the way to the championship.
“I am very happy, but I have not won the league. We have a lot of work to do, we may be leading but we need to work even harder,” he said.
The Teams:
Lions: Rapowa, Senkanoyane, Tshepo Ramhengwaa, Lone Taele, Babedi Nchoko, Bonolo Takula, Mositwane, Keitshepile Mbasela (Othata Mosemele), Tshepiso Jabari, Semadi, Karabo Sebeo (Molefe)
Fighters: Raphael Nthwane, Karabo Ngaku, Richard Seakeng (Nakata), Otlabusa Phokonyane, Mosimanegape Ngongorego, Mafoko, Oteng Mosala, Thabang Mokotedi, Buyalo (Lapologang Motlogi), Omphile, Pumpkin
Cautions: Molefe, Seakeng
Dismissal: Sekanonyane
Lions 0
Fighters 2 (Pumpkin 39th, Omphile 77th)