Gilport, Black Peril In An Entertaining Draw
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday December 3, 2018 13:53
Played under scorching temperatures, the two sides met in a top of the table clash.
The log leaders took the lead as early as the second minute, when Botlhe Rakaki’s free kick was parried in to play by the goalkeeper. The ball fell at the feet of Lucas Rethametswe who tapped in from close range. Peril levelled in the 16th minute with a Raymond Israel header from Emmanuel Ditodi’s cross.
In the 23rd minute, Rethametswe squandered a chance which would have seen him grab a brace. Serati Semadi on the wing centred for Thabiso Keaikitse whose shot was parried back in to play by the goalkeeper. Rethametswe failed to direct his shot towards the goal posts.
From a counter attack, Bakang Keoagile brought down Peter Olangi inside the box, and the referee called for a penalty. Letsile Montsho stepped up and tore the roof of the net on the 29th minute to give side the lead. The host pushed for a draw but could not break the Peril’s defence. With two minutes to the break, Rakaki levelled the scores with a long-range effort that beat the goalkeeper to the bottom corner.
In the early stages of the second half, both teams seemed to employ caution as they sought a winning goal. However it was Semati who gave the Peril defence problems while on the other end, Montsho was very instrumental in his side’s attacks.
In the 71st minute, Peril’s Innocent Selebogo pulled a splendid save to deny substitute, Tshepang Molefe’s shot. Two minutes later, substitute Kabo Motsamai went for a long range shot from miles out but the goalkeeper saved. On the other end, Stephen Sibanda beat two of his markers but was quick to react as he grabbed the ball from the attacker’s feet.
“We did not achieve what we wanted to achieve. We wanted the three points but it was not to be today. I think I will take a draw, the boys played very well and they (Lions) were playing well, I think a draw is a fair result,” Peril coach, Kaelo Kaelo said after the game. His counterpart, Paradzayi Madivenga was happy to continue his unbeaten streak in the league. “It was important to keep the run going to keep fighting, to keep pushing. We played well, we could have scored more goals but it was not to be,” he said.
The Teams:
Lions: Mabitso Rebowa, Tshepo Ramhengwaa,Keoagile (Tumisang Sekanonyane), Boikobo Kebafedile, Babedi Nchoko, Rakaki, Lame Mogwera (Molefe), Kethametswe (Moemedi Monaka), Keaikitse, Stephen Maposa, Semadi
Peril: Selebogo, David Mathoni, Donald Rapulana, Emmanuel Ramotoroko, Baboloki Thathego (Ronald Gabaatholwe), Israel (France Karabo) Montsho, Mompati Moatshe, Olangi (Mompati Moatshe), Keolebogile Rannong, Ditodi
Lions 2 (Rethametswe 2nd, Rakaki 43rd)
Peril 2 (Israel 16th, Montsho 29th)