Gilport Stretch Lead With Matebejana Win
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday February 4, 2019 15:56
It was a sweet revenge for Lions after they lost 1-0 to their weekend’s opponents just a week ago.
The home side had better chances at goal in the first 10 minutes, but could not find that breakthrough in the final third.
Lions’ Serati Semadi on a turn inside the box skied his effort. In the 27th minute, with Matebejana slowly getting into the game, Rapelang Manase’s headed effort went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
A minute later from a good move, Karabo Sebeo tucked home from close range to give his side the lead.
In the 34th minute, Manase came close once again as he hit the upright, the ball fell unto Wandani Akon’s path but his effort went over the bar as Matebejana chased an equaliser.
Lions doubled the lead in the 38th minute, when Semadi capitalised from a defensive blunder and poked home, beating the goalkeeper to the bottom corner.
Three minutes to the break, Keakitse pulled a superb save from the goalkeeper with a header. The home side took a 2-0 lead to the break.
Lions continued where they left as they chased a much bigger lead. Against the run of play, Matebejana’s Pako Moleti broke away with pace after a receiving a through ball but with the keeper to beat shoots wide.
The away side in an attempt to salvage a point from the game, introduced Mogomotsi Ditshotlo on the right wing. The winger gave the opposition defence all sorts of problems but could not find that goal. With eight minutes to time, Molefe added third for the home side as he tucked in from close range from a pass by Stephen Sibanda.
It proved a little too late for the away side as Lions bagged the valuable three points.
“I made about seven changes to the team that played last weekend. I knew that I was going to catch them on a surprise that’s why I came with a new team all together,” Lions’ coach, Paradzayi Mandivenga said after the game.
“Today we played much better and we were hungrier. That’s why we managed to get all the three points.”
His Matebejana’s counterpart, Ookeditse Masena was an unimpressed man after his side’s loss. “We played well but unlike Gilport we did not take our chances. It was fair game, but Gilport capitalised on their chances while we failed,” he said.
The Teams:
Lions: Mabitso Rapowa, Tshepo Ramhengwa, Lone Taele, Boikobo Kebafedile, Bakang Keoagile, Musa Tamotake, Keitshepile Mbasela, Molefe, Sebeo, Semadi, Keakitse
Matebejana: Agnecious Tebagano, Obakeng Mabechwana, Prince Lenamo, Obed Letsweletse, Patrick Bonang, Kaone Molapisane, Manase, Boipelo Palalani, Akon, Cosmos Folai, Moleti
Caution: Mabechwana