Ramatlhakwana Double Humbles Majombolo

Koketso Kgoboge | Monday January 16, 2017 15:42

The encounter, which was played at the Selebi-Phikwe Stadium, started rather slowly with both teams struggling for possession in the packed midfield. However, it took the home side just 10 minutes to break the deadlock.

From a throw on the right flank, Vincent Marumo controlled, turned a defender and posted a cross to the far post. Lovemore Bogatsu jumped high and redirected the ball with a header into the near post.

Two minutes from the half hour mark, Magosi levelled matters. The bullish ‘JJ’ collected a pass inside the box on the right, physically brushed off a defender and drilled a screamer to the far post. Five minutes later Nico was awarded a penalty. Gift Moyo pounced onto a long pass, rounded Noah Maposa who clipped him and the referee pointed to the spot. Maposa made up for the blemish and saved Moyo’s tame spot kick.

A few minutes later, Chiefs were also awarded a spot kick. Lesego Galenamotlhale had sent through Senatla Molefhe, who rounded the goalkeeper and was clipped. Ramatlhakwana made no mistake and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to hand his side the lead before the break.

From the dugout, Chiefs sat and tried to catch Majombolo with long passes to Molefhe but the speedy attacker was often a fraction of a second late.

Ramatlhakwana’s hat trick celebrations were cut short when he was adjudged off side after connecting brilliantly with a snap shot on the turn into the bottom right. Majombolo struggled to connect and Chiefs sat behind the ball in numbers to see off the game.

Chiefs coach, Bongani Mafu was impressed with his bully striker. “It’s good to have ‘JJ’ back. He has a big punch and this is what we lacked all along and it looks like it is our turning point. We are hopeful we will turn around our fortunes,” he said.

Home side coach, Dean Mwiinde was not happy with the display. “It (play) was below par,” he said. “We are probably still heavy from the festive break but it’s no excuse. We will work our way back to our level.”

Nico: Otsile Tshetha, Gift Moyo, Gabanthate Olebetse (Ronald Ramokgadi), Bokamoso Mbambo, Lovemore Bogatsu, Mogopodi Seithamo, Vincent Marumo (Godknows Motina), Onkgopotse Phuthego, Costain Moleya (Mogakolodi Balatotse), Daniel Taboka, Nelson Moreetsi

Chiefs: Noah Maposa, Thato Kebue, Katlego Keobake, Gaopatwe Seosenyeng, Charles Mutero, Lesego Molemogi, Senatla Molefhe (Odirile Kgaodi), Lesego Galenamotlhale, Jerome Ramatlhakwana, Dirang Moloi (Arnold Mampori), Thatayaone Ramatlapeng

Cautions: Mbambo