Kit Debacle Killed Our Morale - TAFIC Coach
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday April 9, 2018 15:31
TAFIC were forced to play with training bibs as referee Tirelo Mositwane ordered the team change as the white kit matched with the home side’s white and red vertical stripped jersey.
Speaking to Monitor Sport after the game, Machimenyega coach, Wrist Mmusi said the kit debacle had an impact on the psychological aspect of his players as it happened just minutes before kickoff.
“There is nothing much that makes sense that I can comment on about the kit issue,” Mmusi said as the defeat brings his side down to just one point above the relegation zone.
“We don’t know what happened, but we were just told that the kits are clashing and psychologically those are some of the things that can affect our players.”
On the pitch, fans were not as entertained by the football as they were with the kit shenanigans as both sides missed a lot of clear scoring chances. It took only seven minutes for the Alarm Boys to ask questions with Lynoth Chikowa missing two headers from two consecutive corner kicks.
Three minutes later, Uyapo Thibathuwe beat his marker on the wing and delivered a low cross for unmarked Bose Ramontsho who shot straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
In the 20th minute, from the left wing Kaelo Kgaswane put a telling cross for Malvin Chipunza but the striker hit the upright.
Both sides continued to waste chances in front of goal much to the disappointment of the fans at the stadium as the teams went into break level at 0-0.
Eight minutes into the second half, Thibathuwe hit a low drive from outside but Joseph Gojamang easily collected. Five minutes later on the other end, Chikowa’s curler went over the post.
With fans growing impatient, Systems resorted to quick wing play while TAFIC sat back and tried to play for a draw. In the 72nd minute, Chipunza missed another sitter as his half volley went agonisingly wide. With eight minutes to time, substitute Thapelo Senoya did well to beat his marker on the wing laid for Chipunza but the latter was superbly denied by the goalkeeper from close range inside the box.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, substitute Thabiso Mabachi’s low cross missed the visiting defence only to find Chipunza at the far post, the striker tapped in to give side the deservedly three points on the afternoon. “We were let down by our own mistake. I think we played well, the boys executed our plan very well but we were let down by lack of concentration in the last minutes of the game,” Mmusi said.
His counterpart, George Mogopodi said they were desperate for the maximum points and this came as morale boost as they want to survive the drop.
The Teams:
Systems: Joseph Gojamang, Daniel Montshiwa, Kaelo Kgaswane, Koziba Tlhabano, Osego Gaotewe, Godiraone Modingwane, Lynoth Chikowa (Thapelo Senoya), Mpho Gaboitsiwe, Malvin Chipunza, Omphile Sebolai (Molebeledi Gabofiwe), Tumelo Madzebedi (Thabiso Mabachi)
TAFIC: Lesego Bosekeng, Motseoatile Elijah, Thato Mosweu, Kgakgamatso Ramatshosa, Gobonyeone Selefa, Kerapetse Mosimanewakgosi, Onkemetse Powe, Bose Ramontsho, Upoga Dekesha (Mbatshi Elias), Kawashu Makai (Rebaone Modisaotsile), Uyapo Thibathuwe
Cautions: Modingwane, Ramatshosa