Ostriches Sweep Miscellaneous To Cement Top Four
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday May 7, 2018 13:16
Coach Bongani Mafu praised his charges for the “near perfect” display, saying even though top four is secured with two fixtures to go, the job is not done.“We had an outstanding afternoon and we were near perfect. We have almost cemented third position but the job is far from done. We want to finish on a higher note so that we set ourselves up for next season. Ee will have a big say where the league goes next season,” he said.
Mafu’s boys asked questions from the onset. They had a corner kick on top of the opening minute but it was wasted. They controlled possession and the hosts were chasing the entire opening 10 minutes. However, against the run of play 12 minutes into the game, Miscellaneous nearly shocked the visitors when their little magician Orebotse Mongae startled Kaelo Joseph with a low drill that the latter could only parry away.
In a quick succession they were awarded a free kick 20 yards out on the left side. Master Masitara unleashed a rocket that went inches off the foot of the far upright.
Miscellaneous seemed content with their chasing game. When they stole the ball they ensured it threatened Joseph’s goal. The diminutive Mongae who was exciting with the ball rattled the crossbar with a screamer on the 17th minute.
After then the Ostriches took total control of the match and pilled pressure on Miscellaneous. On the half-hour mark, Gift Moyo sent defenders the wrong way with a chicly turn, but the goalkeeper was quick off his line to block his attempt.
Three minutes later Tendai Nyumasi unleashed a 35-yards bolt that caused a lot of problems for the keeper who parried into Onkabetse Makgantai’s path but the latter failed to make it count.
Miscellaneous’ resilience was finally broken on the 42nd minute. Kobamelo Kebaikanye picked Ronald Chikomo with a well-whipped corner at the far end and the unmarked Chikomo coolly headed into the bottom right.
Chikomo got his brace three minutes from the dugout. He stunned the unsuspecting goalkeeper with a 45-yard screamer into the top left corner.
It was nearly three, when Makgantai and Lemogang Maswena had neat interchanges into the box, but the former’s last touch was blocked by bodies of diving defenders. Miscellaneous had their moment around the hour mark. Substitute Pako Osupile saw his first touch under pressure go inches wide.
Mongae pulled one back on the 62nd minute. He beat a hapless Joseph with a low drive into the far left from outside the 18 yard.
Kebaikanye cancelled out Mongae’s goal 10 minutes later. Jerome Ramatlhakwane set Kebaikanye up against the goalkeeper; he controlled into his left foot and calmly plucked into the near top corner. After the third Ostriches winded the clock with a commanding possession around the park. Boyo Radipotsane thought his charges were too relaxed, but in the overall it was not a bad performance. “We had fought hard to be here and I commend the boys. Today was not a bad game, we lacked energy and we made a few mistakes and we were punished.”
The teams:
Miscellaneous: Basimanebotlhe Moilwa, Fortunate Thulare, Bokani Loeto (Moenga Chakova), Chicco Molefhe, Mooketsi Gareonne (Pako Osupile), Mucheka Longwane, Mponang Mponang, Thabo Mosielele, Orebotse Mongae, Resaobaka Thatanyane, Master Masitara
Orapa: Kaelo Joseph, Kabo Mungabe, Lesenya Ramoraka, Obonye Moswate, Mooketsi Hlabano, Tendai Nyumasi, Kobamelo Kebaikanye, Onkabetse Makgantai (Jerome Ramatlhakwane), Ronald Chikomo, Gift Moyo (Kemmy Pilato), Lemogang Maswena
Caution: Ramoraka
Miscellaneous 1 (Mongae 62nd)
Orapa United (1) 3 (Chikomo 42nd, 48th, Kebaikanye 73rd)