Santos Gain First Leg Advantage
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday May 22, 2017 14:27
The game, despite being played at the same time as crucial BTC Premiership matches, attracted a good crowd. Both sides had equal opportunities in the two halves. Motlakase’s Thapelo Chabalala saw his header go narrowly wide from a corner kick in the middle of the first half.
He also nearly put the visitors in front with another powerful header before the two sides went into half time break deadlocked. Santos also missed some chances with Bosa Mokgweetsi shooting straight at the goalkeeper on two occasions.
They tried to pile pressure towards the end of the first half but were denied by the experience of Motlakase goalkeeper, Kagiso Rankabekwa. In the second half, Santos looked the better team in search for the opener. They were nearly rewarded but Mokgweetsi’s effort hit the upright before Motlakase defenders cleared.
The home side kept piling pressure but were let down by poor decision making in the final third. With the game heading for a stalemate, Santos’ continued attacks bore fruit when Sentle received the ball in the danger area and beat Motlakase goalkeeper, giving Santos the much needed lead going into the second leg in Palapye this coming weekend.
Speaking to the media after the game, Motlakase coach, Pule Mogotsi said they had a good game plan until they were forced to make a substitution in the middle of the park due to injury.
He said after the substitution, Santos found their breakthrough. He, however said all is not lost and will have no choice but to be offensive in the second leg. Santos coach, Innocent Ranku on the other hand, said they realised Motlakase wanted to build from the back and stopped that in the second half. “They were a threat but they did not have many shots at goal,” he said.
The teams
Santos: Lucas Mogotsi, Tlamelo Abueng, Kgotso Mothibamele, Mosimanegape Pelaelo, Thato Seagateng, Goitsemodimo Zoko, Kagiso Medupe, Eric Molefi, Tshepo Mbulawa, Modise Sifo, Bosa Mokgweetsi (Tumelo Sentle)
Motlakase: Kagiso Rankebekwa, Odirile Gabaleswe, Thatayotlhe Gabakgorwe, Tshepang Boithatelo, Kemiso Nswazwi, Katlego Ralegoreng, Kealeboga Oitsile, Ronny Leagetse (Letsweletse Seane), Thapelo Chabalala, Itumeleng Mabuaaeme
Santos 1 (Sentle 90th)
Motlakase 0