Wasteful TAFIC Pay The Price
Chakalisa Dube | Monday April 30, 2018 12:25
The visitors won the match that was played at the Francistown Sports Complex by a solitary goal. TAFIC remain third from bottom, which is an automatic relegation spot while Miscellaneous are fourth. The match was punctuated by instances of rough play from both sides and produced five yellow cards for each side.
Additionally, Tsenala as Miscellaneous are lovingly known played the last 15 minutes a man down after goalie Bophelo Kealeboga was given marching orders.
TAFIC could have taken the lead in the 11th minute through Zimbabwean forward Kawashu Makai but he impulsively shot straight at Kealeboga instead of taking time to coolly convert. Five minutes later, striker Lungisani Fanyana forced another save from Kealeboga after he had turned the defender.
Miscellaneous were gifted an opener in the 23rd minute when TAFIC defender Kgosietsile Ernest headed Resaobaka Thanthanyane’s cross into his own net. The cross appeared to be less threatening. Uyapo Thibathuwe had an opportunity to find the much needed equaliser 35 minutes into play. He navigated his way past defenders, but hit the side netting with Kealeboga already beaten. Highly-rated striker Master Masitara, who attended trials at TAFIC early this year but was turned down, nearly increased the visitors lead in the 39 minute. His strong shot was effectively dealt with by TAFIC goal minder Lesego Bosekeng. Masitara was the liveliest player for the Serowe side. Makai once again missed a clear scoring opportunity with the last kick of the first half. He sent his shot over the bar after connecting well with left back Thato Moshe’s low cross. After the break, TAFIC continued piling pressure on the visitors but the second half was more characterised by controversy and rough play from both set of players. On three occasions, the referee had to intervene in a scuffle amongst players from both teams. The scuffle was mainly over a bag that was hanging on the net at the visitors goal posts. TAFIC players wanted the bag removed as they were of the view that it had muti that prevented them from scoring. They failed to remove the bag as a result of strong opposition from Tsenala players. Tsenala were dealt a major blow in the 75th minute when Kealeboga was given his marching orders after earning his second yellow for time wasting. In fact, Kealeboga’s initial booking was also for time wasting. Midfielder Mponang Mponang was forced to take over the role of keeper as Miscellaneous had exhausted all substitutions.
After the red card, TAFIC launched not less than 10 crosses on the visitors’ goal under the thinking that they could capitalise on Mponang’s lack goal of keeping prowess. However, the latter was up to the task, collecting all the balls like a seasoned goalie. The defenders also did well to protect Mponang from any possible danger.
All Miscellaneous players were purely defensive after Kealeboga’s dismissal. The match eventually ended in favour of Miscellaneous who are granted their best ever league finish regardless of what happens in their remaining three games.
The teams:
TAFIC: Lesego Bosekeng, Kgosietsile Ernest, Thato Mosweu, Bokamoso Mbambo, Gobonyeone Selefa, Kerapetse Mosimanekgosi (Michael Murwira), Onkemetse Powe, Molebatsi Kangwane, Lungisani Fanyana (Kemoreng Batisani), Kawashu Makai.
Miscellaneous: Bophelo Kealeboga, Fortune Thulare, Simon Mashadza (Chakova Moyenga), Bokani Leeto, Chicco Molefe, Mucheka Longwane (Simon Osupile), Mponang Mponang, Thabo Mosielele, Orebotse Monggae, Resaobaka Thanthanyane (Thatayaone Magazi), Master Masitara