Ten-Man Magosi Edge Miscellaneous

Koketso Kgoboge | Monday February 26, 2018 15:48

 

Magosi defeated the home side by a solitary goal and registered a second consecutive win on the road.

Magosi diehard supporters came in encouraging numbers to back their side. They were the most vocal with a raucous and an emotional cheering that swallowed the hosts’ voices and howled at every decision of the match officials after Katlego Koobake was given matching orders.

For Miscellaneous, the decline has left the TseNala coach Boy Radipotsane, who cut a frustrated figure after the game, awfully worried.

“My players are heavily under pressure and it is costing us points. I suppose our current position is unfamiliar to my players and they are not sure how to carry themselves in such situations. It is a mentality problem, but we just have to adjust and understand that they are not at the top by fluke,” Radipotsane said.

Magosi started sprightly taking the game to the hosts. They were awarded a free kick 35 yards from goals. Tshepo Borake, who had a defined evening under the floodlights, took the initiative with a curler to hand his side the lead.

Koobake almost ruined Magosi’s night when he manhandled Bokani Loeto off the ball in the 15th minute, while the players were awaiting a corner kick.  After the red card Chiefs altered their formation and put all men behind the ball save for Pako Moloi who fought sole battles upfront.

Miscellaneous had all the possession but found a brick wall in the opponents’ box. Their best chance of the half came a minute after the half-hour mark when Orebotse Mongae produced a moment of brilliance, dribbling past three defenders into the box and unleashed a low drive but Noah Maposa was equal to the task.

They had another half chance five minutes later, Mponang Mponang set Master Masitara up with a bouncing ball in front of the box, the latter unleashed a goal bound rocket and the acrobatic Maposa finger tipped over the bar.

In the 38th minute, Magosi responded with another Borake free kick from 45 yards that rattled the crossbar with the goalkeeper rooted to his spot.

From the dugout Magosi relegated their wing attackers Mandla Mgadla and Khumoetsile Kufigwa deep and were disciplined in their approach.

They allowed Miscellaneous to have all the balls and often caught them with counter attacks. Miscellaneous became agitated as the game worn out and were wasteful. They brought in fresh legs, but it was not to be their day.

Magosi assistant coach, Innocent Morapedi was happy with the performance of his charges. He said they are progressing well in all quarters and playing with a man down was a test of character. “We refused to lose today and we will refuse to lose everyday. I commend my players for the discipline and the character they have displayed today.”

Radipotsane and his players were left frustrated and licking their wounds. “It was a poor performance. This was a winnable game and this is the second time consecutively we drop points in a similar manner,” Radipotsane said.

 

The teams:

Miscellaneous: Bophelo Kealeboga, Fortunate Thulare, Lesego Keredilwe, Bokani Loeto (Chakova Moyenga), Chiko Molefe, Simo Mashadza, Mponang Mponang, Kamogelo Molemogi (Simo Osupile), Orebotse Mongae, Resaobaka Thatanyane (Thomas Modiradilo), Master Masitara

Chiefs: Noah Maposa, Mandla Mgadla, Katlego Keobake, Keabetswe Jenamiso, Trinity Nko, Lawrence Majawa, Tshepo Borake, Thato Ogopotse, Pako Moloi (Othusitse Pilane), Koketso Majafi (Nelson Moreetsi), Khumoetsile Kufigwa

Cautions: Maposa, Moloi, Borake, Ogopotse, Osupile

Dismissal: Keobake