Inspired, Ostriches Strangle Hapless Magosi
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday September 24, 2018 13:34
Magosi were literally reduced to peasants, chasing the illusive Ostriches the entire match, and could have suffered a much more defeat had the hosts been clinical in front of the goals. The defeat, a third for Magosi in five games, left the Mochudi side better than only Sankoyo Bush Bucks at the foot of the table. Magosi conceded as early as the sixth minute through what could be defined as a schoolboy mistake.
From a long set-piece, Kealeboga Molebatsi posted a long cross to the unguarded far end. Thabang Mosige peeled off the unsuspecting defenders that seemed on a momentous trance and headed home.
Two minutes later, Christian Epoupa Ntouba displayed great awareness when he larches onto a poor clearance and his lofty effort hit the bar. The Cameroonian released Lemogang Maswena one-on-one against the keeper on the quarter mark and the speedy winger shot wide. Magosi’s first chance came 20 minutes into the game from a well-weighed Koketso Mokgatitswane corner kick; Unobatsha Mbaiwa’s connection at the near post went inches over the crossbar. Chiefs had a brief spell afterwards, but the Ostriches were not to let them off the hook. Jerome Ramatlhakwane released Epoupa Ntoubo with a defensive splitting pass on the 24th minute and the goalkeeper was out of his line in time to deny the Cameroonian.
The Ostriches created an avalanche of chances in the Magosi box, but their finishing left their coach Bongani Mafu worried.“We could have done better. Our ratio of chances and the convention is not tallying. Had we been calm and sure-footed, we would have buried the game in the first half,” he said.
The Ostriches took off where they left in the second stanza. Epoupa Ntoubo was left calling to his gods when a defenders’ deflection of Molebatsi’s cross caught him flat-footed and he failed to convert in the opening minute of the half.
In the only half-chance for the visitors, Edwin Olerile sent frogs down the tummies of the Ostriches with a well-taken 25 yards free kick towards the top left, but the alert Kaelo Joseph denied him with a spectacular save.The persistent Epoupa Ntoubo finally got his goal on the 80th minute when a Molebatsi corner kick eluded the defenders and fell for the former in the 16-yard box. The marksman cushioned with a sure foot into the net. He could have wrapped his day with a brace, but made a mess of a low cross from Omaatla Kebatho when he was unmarked on the blind side.Although Mafu was worried about the convention rate, he was pleased with the maximum points in the bag. His Chiefs counterpart, Tumie Duicker reckoned his players are improving with each game. He said they built up soundly from the back and soaked their opponents well. “There is a lot of improvement from our past games. I think we are getting there. We just need to get a win and then we will get our season rolling. “It was not a bad game. We just need to be clinical with the half the chances we create,” he said.
Line Ups
Orapa United:Joseph, Molebatsi, Mosige (Olekantse Mambo), Tapiwa Nyamanjiva, Mothusi Johnson, Mooketsi Hlabano, Gofaone Mabaya, Maswena (Onkemetse Powe), Epoupa Ntouba, Kobamelo Kebaikanye, Ratlhakwane (Kebatho)
Chiefs: Siamang Kgosipula, Onalenna Molelekwa, Olerile, Trinity Nko, Arnold Mampori, Mmoloki Kafuko, Mmatla Magosha (Motseoatlile Elijah), Mokgatiswane (Elvis Meleka), Phenyo Molefhe (Lebopo Moremi), Mbaiwa, Bakang Leshona
Cautions: Leshona, Epoupa Ntoubo
Orapa United 2 (Mosige 6th, Epoupa Ntouba 80th)
Chiefs 0