Matebele Stun Wasteful Ostriches
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday November 26, 2018 13:43
A solitary goal from Moatlhodi Ralesotla through a penalty was enough to give BDF XI a victory in front of a lively crowd at Itekeng Stadium.
The Ostriches took full control of the match from the start. They had more attacking class than the defensive-minded BDF XI.
They penetrated the Matebele defence with sublime moves from both wings and in the centre. However, the attacking players seemed to have left their scoring boots back at home.
They had more than enough chances to bury the game in the first half.
Unmarked Tendai Nyumasi squandered a clear-cut chance four minutes into the game when Gofaone Mabaya’s deflected effort fell right before him inside the box, but he shot directly into the goalkeeper’s gloves.
A minute later, Omaatla Kebatho sent his piledriver wayward from the right side of the 18-yard box.
BDF were kept on the back foot for the better of the half, and they struggled to climb off their half. Their only half chance of the first half came on the 16th minute when former Ostriches midfielder, Mgcini Sibanda released Botsalo Oatlhotse into the box, but Baboloki Makhura recovered with an inch-perfect tackle to clear the danger.
Lemogang Maswena and Onkemetse Powe, who were a constant thorn in the half, combined well in front of the box but Tumiso Mashakola met Maswena’s well-curled effort with a spectacular save.
Mashakola had a brilliant afternoon and his exploits to keep the Ostriches at bay and his team in the game, winning him a man of the match award.
Upfront, the isolated Ralesotla, his marker Kabo Mungabe and the Ostriches goalkeeper were almost on a holiday the entire first half.
From the break, the Ostriches picked up from where they left off in the first. In the second minute, the enterprising left winger Mothusi Johnson produced a fine run past the defender and delivered a curled cross to Maswena, the speedy attacker’s connection lacked power and the keeper cooly collected.
The visitors sat back, a bit more organised than they were in the first stanza and relied on a counter-attacks.
As the game grew older, the Ostriches’ chances came, but far apart.Against the run of play on the 66th-minute, the hosts gave away a penalty.
On a counter-attack, Sibanda released Lovemore Bogatsu on the right wing. The latter burst past Johnson into the area as the attacking goalkeeper threw his body on the line to block him.
The referee pointed to the spot and Ralesotla was the beneficiary.
“We have trained penalties extensively, and this was the man who was outstanding at training. I knew he would score and our assignment for this weekend will be accomplished,” his coach Phiri said.
After the goal, BDF reverted a robust defensive display and proceeded to play down the clock. The goalkeeper delayed as much as he could to cut seconds. The Ostriches worn-off and BDF got away with an important win.
Phiri was elated. He said the plan was to score at least one goal and they indeed accomplished their mission ahead of the second round at home.
“Now, when the time arrives, we will plan nicely for the second leg.”Phiri’s opposite counterpart Teenage Mpote said all was not lost. He said they played accordingly, and he has got nothing to take away from his players.
“We created well and many chances. We lacked in positioning inside the box, but that is positive. I believe we will turn (things) around,” he said.
The teams
Orapa: Lesenya Malapela, Makhura, Mungabe, Mooketsi Hlabano, Johnson, Tapiwa Nyamandjiva, Nyumasi (Molaodi Tlhalefang), Mabaya, Maswena, Powe (Kobamelo Kebaikanye), Kebatho
BDF XI: Mashakola, Onkgolotse Tsimako, Othusitse Mpharitlhe, Kennedy Taukobong, Bonolo Phuduhudu, Moagi Makomeng, Bogatsu, Onkgolotse Motlhabankwe, Ralesotla, Sibanda (Abi Ramodiana), Oatlhotse
Cautions: Mungabe,
Oatlhotse
Orapa United 0
BDF XI 1 (Ralesotla 66th Pen)