Batanani Clinches Copa Coca-Cola Under-15 Title
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday July 23, 2018 12:55
Batanani came into the game as favourites and it took them only three minutes to show their intentions, as Kewarona Kelaotswe was denied the post from a long-range effort.
The team eventually took the lead in the 11th-minute with Ruth Alfred freeing herself from her markers with pace, and beat the keeper to the top corner.
On the half-hour mark, Ruth Pilane missed a glorious opportunity to level matters, as the keeper superbly denied her on a one-on-one situation. Batanani took a slim 1-0 lead into the break.
From the break, they continued to dominate the proceedings on the day as they enjoyed a lion’s share of ball possession. In the 47th-minute, against the run of play, Radikolo were awarded a penalty after the ball was handled in the penalty area.
Kopano Thari stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to level matters. Eight minutes later, Kelaotswe from outside the box had her shot parried back into play by the keeper, but Alfred shot wide from the follow up.
With five minutes to time Kelaotswe redeemed herself as she broke away with pace and beat the keeper to the bottom corner to give her side a 2-1 lead.
Kelaotswe doubled her team’s lead in the 70th-minute following a good interplay between herself and Alfred to make it 3-1 with her brace. Batanani managed to hold onto the lead as they bagged their first gold medal in the competition.
Meanwhile, the boys’ Under-15 final served the best of grassroots football as Nthwalang JSS beat Maoka JSS 3-2 in a hard-fought victory. Nthwalang held a 3-0 lead going into the break, but Maoka tried to come into the game as they scored two goals in the last 10 minutes of the game.
The Teams
Radikolo: Kesego Senwelo, Sethunya Phera, Boago Tabane, Doreen Tsheko, Kamogelo Mogobye, Natasha Moseki, Pearl Pilane, Kopano Thari, Khumo Jautse, Pearl Sikwane, Khumoetsile Jautse
Batanani: Setlhe Mothusi, Egar Mathetho, Christina Monyatsi, Siphosami Mothusi, Keamogetse Maano, Penelope Pobetsi, Katlego Vass, Ruth Alfred, Thando Boitshepo, Tshiamo Johnson, Kewarona Kelaotswe
Radikolo 1 (Thari 47th)
Batanani 3 (Alfred 11th,
Kelaotswe 65th, 70th)