Nico Extend Relegation Fight To Final Day
Tapela Morapedi | Monday May 22, 2017 14:27
Nico entered the game with odds against them as they would have bid the BTC Premiership farewell had they lost. To compound the pre-match situation, Majombolo players had reportedly threatened to down tools over unpaid salaries. But on the pitch it was a different story.
To prove that their momentum is not irreparably lost, Peter Muchina’s boys stretched Ngurungu wide in a high paced attacking encounter, out-playing the visitors from the first whistle. Nico used its wings to fly over to Sankoyo’s goalposts with the visitor’s defence vulnerable.
Nico took the lead in the 12th minute through Lovemore Bogatsu in a one-on-one with the keeper. It was a matter of life and death, and taking the lead boosted Nico’s confidence and Ronald Ramokgathadi took full control of the midfield.
Vincent Marumo would later extend the lead, making Sankoyo’s coach, Dragojlo Stanojlovic furious with his players. Stanojlovic’s ferocity on the bench did not help much as Nico continued to pile the pressure with captain, Mpoeleng Mpoeleng scoring a fortuitous goal that left Ngurungu’s keeper hapless.
The diminutive player unleashed a shot that bounced off the keeper, and deflected past the glove man, with the ball going over his head and into the net. Nico were in celebratory mood, making a few one-touch passes with Sankoyo failing to respond.
While they still had their heads on the clouds in the dying minutes of the game, substitute Onkagetse Mojwaine gave his side a consolation goal. Stanojlovic acknowledged that his side did not play well.
He congratulated Nico’s coach, Muchina for their win and wished them well in the survival battle. Muchina said he was looking forward to their last and winnable encounter against already relegated Mahalapye United Hotspurs on Saturday.
Nico will be going for the kill, but for them to stay in the Premiership will depend on how Police XI and Miscellaneous fare in their encounters against Sankoyo and Green Lovers respectively. Amongst Nico, Police XI and Miscellaneous, one has to face the chop.
The teams
Nico Untied: Gaolatlhe Tshupego, Lucas Mothata, Mpoeleng Mpoeleng, Bokamoso Mbambo, Lovemore Bogatsu, Mogopodi Seithamo, Ishmael Netty, Ronald Ngwako Ramokgathadi, Vincent Marumo, Godknows Mutina, Thabo Mosielele.
Sankoyo Bush Bucks: Morutiemang Ntongwane, Moagi Sechele, Onkarabile Ratanang, Tendai Kesekile, Bobby Ntshegisang, Wabuya Aebe, Kabo Matlhare, Walter Sande (Mphoyamodimo Kipone), Gaongalelwe Dipateletso, Oabile Bathusi (Ononofilwe Setsiba), Tapiwa Sepatela (Onkagetse Moijwane).
Nico (1) 3 Bogatsu 12th, Marumo 49th, Mpoeleng 77th
Sankoyo Bush Bucks (0) 1 Mojwaine 90th