Fraiser's Solitary Strike Earns Police Maximum Points
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday August 20, 2018 13:04
With low spectator turnout and lack of branding the match could have been easily mistaken for a pre-season warm up. The law enforcers had a field day in the mid-park and created an avalanche of chances but were not clinical.
Highlanders’ cautious approach and long ball game defeated their own midfield. This saw them chasing the game entire afternoon and poor at ball retention. In fact, they failed to register a shot on target in the first stanza. Their coach Kabo Dintwa said his troops lost the script the moment they stepped into the park.
“Our plan was to hold onto the ball but somehow we lost it and we found ourselves chasing most of the game. It is the first game and I cannot crucify the guys, I am confident we will improve,” he said.
Police had clear-cut chances in the first half that they failed to put into the back of the net. In the 19th minute they caught Highlanders with a counter-attack. Fraiser sent Elphius Nyambe into the box with a defence-splitting pass, when he was about to pull the trigger defender Leteng Legopelo recovered to block for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Uyapo Seleka’s well-weighed cross into the 16-yard found Keaketswe Moloi unmarked but the striker sent his header over the bar. On top of the half-hour mark, Moloi pounced onto the unsuspecting defender, stole the ball drove once into the box and skied another half chance. In the second half, Highlanders had a bright start and had two decent shots on target but the goalkeeper was well positioned to collect. Their shine was immediately dimmed by Fraiser’s goal six minutes from the interval.
Nyambe posted a corner kick into the box and the defender’s miscued clearance beat his goalkeeper and fell delicately for Fraiser who cushioned into the empty net. For the better of the half after the goal, Police knocked the ball around and created many chances but luck eluded them in front of goals.
However against the run of play in the 70th minute Police defender, Thabiso Mokotedi fouled Boikobo Osupile inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Osupile stepped up, but Lesego Bosekeng chose the right side and denied Highlanders an equaliser.
As the shadows fell Highlanders tried to revive themselves but Police defenders bullied the tiny legions of the host to emerging with maximum points.
Police interim coach, Maitumelo Lotlamoreng was happy with the outcome. He said his players were rusty and heavy from the pre-season training.
“Opening games are unpredictable, but it is positive. We got the three points and the combinations are promising, we are looking forward to the campaign,” he said.
The Teams:
Highlanders: Otsile Ben, Mompati Oabile, Thabang Mooketsi, Onkarabile Tsheko, Leteng Legopelo, Temo Keorileng, Thato Gabatlhokwe, Boikobo Osupile, Mogakolodi Balatotse, Kealeboga Oitsile, Otlarongwa Nthumolang
Police: Lesego Bosekeng, Betsho Pius, Thabiso Batang, Letsweletse Leririma, Keabetswe Jenamiso, Thabiso Mokotedi (Katlego Masole), Tapiwa Gadibolae, Elphius Nyambi, Keaketswe Moloi, Bonolo Fraiser, Uyapo Seleka (Mpho Kgomo.
Caution: Pius