Gunners Ruthless On Late Chiefs
Tumelo Mouwane | Monday May 8, 2017 15:13
Magosi, battling off the field challenges, arrived 30 minutes late for the fixture due to what management termed ‘unfortunate transport logistics situation’.
Insiders said players had decided not to honour the fixture, but coach, Bongani Mafu had to go door to door pleading with players to play the game. Gunners were the confident of the two sides, retaining possession and managed to steer the game in their direction.
Magosi were clamped in their own half for the majority of the opening stanza. But Chiefs tried to repel whatever Mapuntsula threw at them.
Goalkeeper, Neo Kenalemang was sure footed between the posts denying the hosts the chance to hit the net. Chiefs, through Tendai Nyamusi and Jerome Ramatlhakwana tried their best but Kelame Tladinyane was solid at the back. The teams were deadlocked at half time. Gunners came hard on their opponents in the second stanza.
Magosi, who seemed to have adjusted to the game tried their best to resist the home team’s pressure. Kenalemang’s resistance was finally broken in the 56th minute when Ofentse Mmipi wriggled past the defence to fire the opener.
The goal unsettled Magosi and striker, Moatlhodi Ralesota applied further gloss to the score line with the second after 71 minutes, placing the ball into the net. Mafu tried to make game changing substitutions with Lesego Galenamotlhale making way for Thatayaone Ramatlapeng in the 78th minute while Absalom Limbondi was replaced by Ronaldo Fortune with 10 minutes left. But the changes did nothing to alter the game.
Mafu said his squad had ample chances to take lead but luck was not on their side. “The players did their best. We gave our all but we lacked in terms of the finishing touches. We could have scored but could not convert,” he said.
His counterpart, Itumeleng Duicker said he was happy with the team’s performance. “If the boys play like this, I get happy and we will continue fighting hard to maintain a good position,” he said.
The teams
Gunners: Kelame Tladinyana, Katlego Mothibi, Andrew Makopo, Leteng Legopelo, Desire Bafana, Whaza Seleka, Thabo Metlhayotlhe, Ofentse Mmipi, Kenanao Kgetholetsile, Moatlhodi Ralesota, Thabiso Mabachi.
Chiefs: Neo Kenalemang, Othusitse Pilane, Katlego Keobake, Charles Muntero, Lesego Molemogi, Tendai Nyamusi, Lesego Galenamotlhale (Thatayaome Ramatlapeng) Jerome Ramatlhakwane, Dirang Moloi, Absalom Limbondi (Ronaldo Fortune)
Gunners (0) 2 Mmipi 56th, Ralesota 71st
Chiefs 0