Wanderers Clip Highlanders As Chouka Cut Margin
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday March 26, 2018 13:14
The deficit at the top has now been reduced to three points with three games left. Sua Flamingoes and Wanderers are also breathing heavily on leaders in third and fourth positions respectively, both four points adrift.
Highlanders were sunk by a Kealeboga Oitsile’s brace. Oitsile, otherwise known as Skepe to his cronies, is a former Chouka talisman. He crossed over to Wanderers in the January transfer window. Skepe scored in each half. His first goal came in the 21st minute and drilled the agonising nail in the 85th minute. While Skepe did the job in Mahalapye, Motlakase were wasteful in Serowe. In the opening half they created an avalanche of clear-cut chances against a cold Green Lovers, but failed to profit. Lovers were not enterprising and were happy to knock the ball around without threatening the Chouka goals. Motlakase could have easily claimed a 4-0 lead going into the break, but they either skied or sent their chances wayward.
One-on-one against the goalkeeper, Samuel Makgoro unnecessarily skied a glorious chance on the half hour mark. In the dying minutes of the half, Lapologang Motlogi rattled the cross bar with a 20 yard free kick and Omphemetse Bolofete skied the rebound when the goalkeeper was lying flat on the floor.
Motlakase continued to bulldoze the scrawny Lovers players. They continued to create chances but still failed to find the net. A little less than five minutes from the dugout, Motlogi saw his delicate chip to beat the goalkeeper off the line go inches over. On the hour mark, Itumeleng Mabuaaeme dribbled past the goalkeeper, but the defender recovered quickly to clear his effort off the goal line. Two minutes later, a timely tackle by a stretched defender denied Bolofete from the 16 yards.
Motlakase’s persistence paid on the 66th minute when Makgoro rose high up and redirected Lapologang Motlogi’s corner into the net from the far end. Motlakase bullied Lovers in the midfield and the latter were found wanting. Lovers coach Othusitse Kootswele said his opponents’ physical approach knocked his young charges off. “But, overall I am happy with these youngsters’ tactical display. We are happy to be where we are, our target was to remain in the first division and build a team.” His Motlakase counterpart Pule Mogotsi was happy with the all-important win. “We are wasteful but three points is all that matters now, it is a critical moment and we need to protect our games. We are just happy to have won.”
The teams:
Motlakase: Kagiso Moganetsi, Odirile Gabaleswe, Omphemetse Bolofete, Tshephang Boithatelo, Serati Semadi (Thapelo Chabalala), Samuel Makgoro, Kentse Kgolokwane, Thabo Wetshoemang, Katlego Ralegoreng (Ratsela Mooketsi), Lapologang Motlogi, Itumeleng Mabuaaeme
Green Lovers: Seabelo Gaalathege, Silvester Kenamile, Baboloki Mogatlhe, Othusitse Tamapo, Pabalelo Ramasala, Edwin Tshimologo, Tumisang Mokgweetsi, Bakang Bathusi, Maitshwarelo Modimbura (Essau Tiroyamodimo), Resaobaka Ramotshwaedi (Kealeboga Setume), Motlatsi Rankganang
Cautions: Chabalala, Tamapo
Motlakase 1 (Mokgoro 66th)
Lovers 0