Maposa's boots too big for new custodian

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Tuesday September 22, 2009 00:00

 

Though he was protected by a rock-solid rearguard manned by Michael 'Mahindra' Mogaladi and Given Mpundu, the custodian looked suspect in the 1-1 draw with BDF XI. Towards the end of the game, he left his line to cut across from the left and missed the ball. This forced the technical bench to advise the young goalkeeper not to go out for crosses. Fortunately for Chiefs, BDF XI forwards seemed to have forgotten their scoring boots at home and failed to take advantage of Tlhowe's mistakes.

The young goalkeeper's inexperience was exposed in the 63rd minute when Mokgathi 'Pro' Mokgathi beat him with a beautiful curler for the equaliser. Chiefs had earlier taken the lead through Mpho 'Jomo' Mabogo in the 55th minute. The burly striker fired a cracker past goalkeeper Khalid Niyonzima after finding space in the box. But Magosi were made to rue the numerous scoring chances they created on the day when Mokgathi levelled the score.

Chiefs' caretaker coach Innocent Morapedi commented after the game that Tlhowe had the chance to have a feel of big time football and he cannot be blamed for the draw if the strikers converted the many chances that came their way. We cannot blame him for the goal because it is part of learning. We could not be talking about the BDF XI goal if we had buried the chances we created. This means we have to work on converting in training.'

After the game, most Chiefs supporters were heard saying that there is a need to bring in a good goalkeeper if the team is to compete strongly for the top honours.  'We were lucky that BDF XI were awful upfront, but if we had met a team like ECCO today, we would have been buried,' said a concerned Chiefs' supporter.

Chiefs' spokesperson, Clifford Mogomotsi was equally concerned about the issue of goalkeeping and said that they are working on it. 'We are aware that our main focus is to sign an experienced goalkeeper. There are two goalkeepers we're interested in and one being Toldo (Barolong Lemmenyane). The other one I cannot reveal because we have not written to his club. But this does not mean that we will dump Gontse because we appreciate that he is on a learning curve,' he said. He pleaded with supporters not to panic because the management understands their concerns. 'It took a lot of character from a team like Chiefs to play BDF XI with an inexperienced goalkeeper,' he added.

Chiefs lost a match winner when Maposa was loaned to South African First Division side Bay United in the pre-season. It is reported the club started looking for a replacement last week. So far, Chiefs' efforts to recruit Notwane's Botlhe Moralo and Lemmenyane from Township Rollers have not been successful. Though Rollers say to have a contract with Lemmenyane, the well-built custodian has flatly denied the claims.

Meanwhile, in other games on Sunday, new boys Motlakase were given a rude welcome in a 4-2 hammering by Nico United in Francistown. In Lobatse, Jwaneng Comets celebrated their return to topflight football with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over BMC.