Wasteful TAFIC Held By Gilport Lions
Chakalisa Dube | Monday February 19, 2018 14:46
The match was also characterised by a violent scene. Gilport Lions mentor Mandivega Paradzayi clashed with some TAFIC supporters as he made his way to the tunnel. One of the supporters threw a stone that caught Paradzayi on the leg.
The Gilport coach was unhappy with match officiating; something which irked a small section of the TAFIC supporters.
Without doubt, the hosts could easily have won the game in a convincing manner but they were let down by poor finishing and a very casual approach in front of the goals especially in the second half.
Forward Upoga Dekesha was the main culprit for TAFIC’s missed opportunities. The highly rated marksman missed seaters the entire match.
Gilport played almost the whole match with 10 men after defender Thuso Nganunu was given his marching orders after he had accumulated two yellow cards.
TAFIC’s attacking midfielder Kawashu Makai who had a brilliant game gifted his team the lead through a penalty 33 minutes into the first half.
That was after Onkemetse Powe was fouled by Nganunu. Nganunu earned his first yellow card for committing the foul. Makai played what could be described as one of his best match for TAFIC this far.
He exemplified almost every aspect of an attacking midfielder. He burst past Gilport players at speed.
On several occasions, he figuratively and literally shrugged off opponents with ease before releasing neat passes to his mates.
The Zimbabwean was well complemented by Michael Murirwa who was deployed in a defensive midfield role. Muriwa displayed great passing ability and orchestrated most TAFIC moves.
Seven minutes after his initial booking, Nganunu was shown red for another foul on Uyapo Thibathuwe. Gilport who had adopted a very defensive approach never threatened in the first stanza.
Immediately after the break, Dekesha missed three consecutive headers in a space of two minutes. In all occasions, he could have scored with ease after he was set up by Powe and Thato Mosweu.
Gilport found the equaliser in the 75th minute when Otlantshekela Mooeketsi’s low range free kick was deflected on the path of Poloko Nkalolang who laid a low range pass inside the goal area.
Stephen Sibanda connected well with the ball to bring Gilport back into the match.
TAFIC could have regained the lead in the 80th minute through substitute Mbatshi Elias, but his close header was parried wide by Gilport goalie Tshomarelo More.
Earlier on, Thibathuwe had failed to connect with a right cross from Motseoatile Elijah with the goalie the only man to beat.
Seconds later, TAFIC’s Makai thought he had found the much needed winner, but his strong low drive shot was easily collected by More, who had an eventful day.
Gilport who appeared content to walk away with a draw never threatened. Just like in the first half, they applied a defensive approach to see off the match.
The Teams:
Gilport: Tshomarelo More, Nganunu, Otlantshekela Mooketsi, Tumisang Sekanonyane, Andrew Shadreck, Moshe Mokgethi, Gaofengwe Khubalo, Lebopo Moremi, Nkalolang (Olorato Lefwane)
TAFIC: Lesego Bosekeng, Motseoatile Elijah, Thato Mosweu, Gobonyeone Selefa, Gofamodimo Kobe, Bonang Roberts, Powe, Michael Murirwa, Upoga Dekesha (Mbatshi Elias), Makai, Uyapo Thibathuwe (Mooketsi Mampori)
Cautions: Murirwa, Sekanonyane
Dismissal: Nganunu