Ruthless TAFIC March On
Chakalisa Dube | Monday January 21, 2019 12:31
TAFIC endured a frustrating night despite emerging eventual victors against bottom-placed Stars. The weekend win means TAFIC finish the first round unbeaten. Going into the match, one would have thought it was going to be a walk in the park for the pacesetters against struggling Stars.
The match turned on its head in the 65th minute when, Gaolefufa Mosala was shown a straight red card for elbowing goalkeeper, Abdenico Morapedi. Morapedi sustained serious injury on the face and had to be rushed to hospital.
Morapedi’s injury delayed the match by approximately five minutes. Just after the break Calendar Stars coach, Vincent Chikumba was also shown the red card for uttering obscenities towards referee, Keabetswe Dintwe. Despite boasting an array of attacking players, TAFIC were content with sitting back while Stars, who also had a number of creative players, enjoyed a large chunk of possession.
The match produced few scoring opportunities in the first stanza. Stars could have gone ahead in the 29th minute through striker, Simon Motlogi, but his well-taken shot was expertly dealt with by Morapedi. Seconds later Thato Mosweu thought he had found the lead for TAFIC but his well-taken shot from range forced a stunning save from Stars goalkeeper, Nsala Mosinyi.
A minute before the break, striker Innocent Mogapi’s shot hit the side net after he had made his way past TAFIC’s Gobonyeone Selefa, who had a quiet match.
Stars started the second half on a very low note and the dismissal of Chikumba appeared to have impacted negatively on the morale of the team. They did enjoy a few neat exchanges than their opponents, who more than often played a counter-attacking game.
Although they appeared vulnerable in various areas, TAFIC showed much experience and mental strength against their opponents in the second half.
They nearly found the lead in the 59th minute but Michael Murirwa’s well-taken free kick went inches wide. TAFIC’s much-needed goal came four minutes later through Elias, who was set up by Rockie Nkwe with a defence splitting pass. Stars threatened on several occasions with their best chance coming in the dying seconds of the match, but Maikano Macheng’s header went agonisingly wide.
The teams
TAFIC: Morapedi (Charles Modungo), Kabelo Makhura, Mosweu, Bokamoso Mbambo, Selefa, Samuel Phiri, Uyapo Thibathuwe (Mogomotsi Samson), Nkwe, Kemoreng Batisani (Boitshoko Zikhale), Murirwa, Elias
Calendar Stars: Mosinyi, Chebukani Pilato, Macheng, Keabetswe Matote, Gothusang Osego, Edmore, Gukhwe, Matlhogonolo Manko (Mbaki Maika), Mogapi, Simon Boago Motlogi, Mosala, Olebogeng Sekani (Mompoloki Latlhang)
Calendar Stars 0
TAFIC 1 (Elias 63rd)