Late Talane Strike Denies Chiefs
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday January 14, 2019 12:19
The two giants shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw in Molepolole on Saturday.
Magosi last tasted victory in the BTC Premiership in October last year.
In an emotional clash that saw both club legends, Pontsho ‘Piro’ Moloi and Itumeleng ‘Tumie’ Duicker sitting on opposite benches, it was Gunners who had the first go at goal with Kenanao ‘Flo’ Kgetholetsile outmuscling his marker, but could not direct his shot goal wards from inside the box as early as the third minute.
Chiefs’ first chance came in the 19th minute. Morris Ruzivo received a through ball on the edge of the box and went for the bottom corner, but was denied by the goalkeeper.
Magosi started to find their rhythm as the attacking trio of Bakang Leshona, Sekhana Koko and Ruzivo caused all sorts of problems for Gunners’ defence. On the half hour mark, Leshona squared a low cross for Terrence Mandaza who was unmarked inside the box, but could only shoot straight at the keeper.
Mandaza redeemed himself two minutes before the break as he tapped in after a corner kick. In the referee’s optional time, Leshona went for a half volley with the outside of his foot, but his effort went over as Magosi took a 1-0 lead to the break.
The visitors levelled matters eight minutes into the second half. Kgetholetsile fired a volley from up close following a corner kick.
Magosi were quick to respond five minutes later, this time around Mandaza turning provider with a through ball for Koko.
The winger beat Katlego Mbise to the near post for his first goal of the season.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser, but could not break the Magosi defence for the majority of the second half.
In the 82nd minute, the keeper saved Ruzivo’s effort from a tight angle.
Two minutes later, following a corner kick at the other end, Gunners broke away with pace breaking the opposition’s defence with inter passes between substitute, Kudzanani Machadzani and Ogomoditse Sitang.
The ball fell to Kgetholetsile who delivered a pinpoint cross for Talane. The youngster volleyed home beating Gofaone Tapologo to the far corner to bring parity.
Magosi tried to find a winner in the late stages, but were forced to settle for a draw.
“We played much better after we conceded. There were a lot of loose passes. We could not connect well, but our game is about connecting passes. We were better after we conceded. It was a bit tricky and an emotional game, but I think we could have got more from the game,” Moloi said after the game.
His counterpart, Duicker was an unimpressed man after throwing a lead in the last minutes of the game.
“We have been playing well, but could not convert our chances. At least today we managed to get two goals from the chances we created, but at first we couldn’t get anything,” he said.
The Teams
Chiefs: Tapologo, Mmatla Magosha, Mmoloki Masoko, Arnold Mampori, Moabi Sebele, Elvis Meleka, Leshona, Nelson Moreetsi (Mmoloki Kafuku), Mandaza, Koko (Lebopo Moremi), Ruzivo
Gunners: Mbise, Katlego Mothibi, Obonye Moswate, Mpho Kgaswane, Desire Bafana, Lesego Molemogi, Brian Mankanku (Kabelano Mooketsane), Ofentse Mmipi (Machadzani), Kgetholetsile, Sitang, Emmanuel Machinya (Talane)
Chiefs 2 (Mandaza 43rd, Koko 58th)
Gunners 2 (Kgetholetsile 53rd, Talane 84th)