Away Goal Sends Santos To Premiership
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday May 29, 2017 15:25
The visitors wasted two chances in the 12th and 17th minutes which fell to Kagiso Medupe. Medupe’s persistent pressing at the Chouka defence won his side a free kick on the right side corner of the box in the 21st minute. Eric Molefi buried with a curler on the top left. In the 37th minute, Motlakase pulled one back after Katlego Ralegoreng skillfully juggled the ball over the attacking goalkeeper and into the net.
The home side bagged the second in the referee’s additional time after the Santos goalkeeper was penalised for handling outside the box. Thatayotlhe Gaokgorwe converted the resulting free kick into the top right corner to open up the tie.
After the break, Motlakase came out with countless attacks but their finishing was disappointing. On the hour mark, Gaokgorwe caught the goalkeeper off his line with a long range free kick but the keeper recovered to tip it into the bar.
The last 20 minutes was a nervy affair with Kealeboga Oitsile squandering two chances. He was at the end of a counter attack on the 69th but his far post snap shot was brilliantly saved.
Five minutes later he was flat footed in the 16-yard box after a well worked attack and failed to get a contact.
Three minutes after that Motlakase had a penalty appeal turned down. Ralegoreng, with a lightning speed, beat the keeper to the ball and was manhandled but Joshua Bondo pointed for a place kick.
Santos striker, Tumelo Sente was given matching orders with 10 minutes left for a second yellow card. The visitors did enough to repel continuous threats in the dying minutes and earned a vital glory.
Santos coach, Parker Mampori acknowledged they lived dangerously. “I am only happy that at the end of the day we progressed. We knew they will come at us. We started well, got the goal but after that we switched off. In the second half the midfield was not responsive. At least we got what we wanted and we proceed.”
Motlakase coach, Pule Mogotsi said the killer blow was the goal they conceded. He was left seething over the referee’s decision.“I don’t want to talk about referees but he (Bondo) was near the incident in the box and it was clear. He is an experienced referee and we don’t expect that from him. That was poor refereeing. The whole action was in the opponents box. Well, we failed to finish but we played well.”
The teams
Motlakase: Kagiso Rankabekwa, Odirile Gabaleswe (William Onkgopotse), Thatayotlhe Gaokgorwe, Tshephang Boithatelo, Kemiso Nswazwi (Emmanuel Olerile), Kealeboga Oitsile, Katlego Ralegoreng, Omphemetse Bolofete, Thapelo Chabalala, Ronny Leagetse, Itumeleng Mabuaaeme (Gaotlhobogwe Molemisi)
Santos: Lucas Mogotsi, Tlamelo Abueng, Tshenolo Mankaka, Mosimanegape Pelaelo, Thato Seagateng, Goitsemodimo Zoko, Kagiso Medupe (Tumelo Sente), Tshepo Mbulawa, Modise Sifo, Bosa Mokgweetsi (Lemogang Kabo), Eric Molefi (Solomon Molefe)
Cautions: Pelaelo, Mankaka
Dismissal: Sente
Motlakase (2) 2 (Ralegoreng 37th, Gaokgorwe 45th)
Santos (1) 1 (Eric Molefi 23rd)