Moyo�s Strike Sinks Chiefs
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday January 15, 2018 17:00
Prior to kick-off, fans had to wait for a couple of minutes to see the ball for the first time this year as Chiefs’ defender, Keabetswe Jenamiso was sent to the dressing room by referee Lekgotla Johannes because he was not listed in the match day squad.
Pako Ketimilwe, subsequently handing over the captain’s armband to Nelson Moreetsi, replaced him. On the field it took only seven minutes for the visitors to show their intentions on the day as Omaatla Kebatho forced Chiefs’ goalkeeper, Siamisang Kgosipula to pull a brilliant save with shot from outside the box.
The visitors eventually opened the scoring four minutes later. Kebatho bulldozed Ketimilwe and laid the ball to on rushing Moyo who easily tapped in at the far post to give his team the lead.
In the 20th minute from a counter attack, Thatayaone Ramatlapeng beat Lesenya Ramoraka with skill but was let done by his finishing as he skied his effort. Chiefs enjoyed much of the ball possession of the half but the Ostriches looked more threatening going forward.
With a minute to the break, Kebatho forced another unorthodox save from Kgosipula inside the box as the goalkeeper used his feet to keep the striker at bay. The visitors took a one-goal lead to the break.
Seven minutes into the second half, Kgosipula thwarted Ronald Chikomo as the Ostriches continued where they left off in the first half. In the 67th minute, Ramoraka put out a telling cross but Chikomo could not find the net with his half volley.
Chiefs had a chance to level the scores in referee’s additional time after good counter attack orchestrated by Ramatlapeng and substitute Ototeng Dintwa. The latter could not find the goal as he skied his effort with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Speaking to journalists after the game, Chiefs coach Innocent Morapedi was coy to comment on the pre-match debacle but said it immensely contributed to his side losing the game on the day. “It is a matter that is still under investigation. We are yet to find out what happened though it affected our plan on the day.”
“Coincidentally the mistake (leading to goal) was done by the player we had brought in but we can not criticise him. We had put him on the bench because he is an all rounder so we would help us as the game went on. That one mistake cost us the game, we created a lot of chances but could not convert,” he said.
His counterpart, Orapa United’s assistant coach, Daniel Nare said his side had total control of the game but bemoaned missed chances. “We created more than them, we entered their half more than they entered ours. They were cautious and tried to catch us on the counter. They did not threaten us that much unless for that last minute chance,” he said.
The teams:
Chiefs: Siamisang Kgosipula, Othusitse Pilane, Pako Ketimilwe, Lawrence Majawa, Gosegonna Molapisi, Nelson Moreetsi, Thato Ogopotse, Lerato Botshelo (Ototeng Dintwa), Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, Lesego Lubinda (Farai Maphosa), Tendai Nyamadzawo (Khumoetsile Kufingwa)
Orapa: Mosimanegape Robert, Kealeboga Molebatsi, Kabo Mungabe, Thabang Mosige, Lesenya Ramoraka, Tapiwa Nyamanjiva, Ronald Chikomo, Lemogang Maswena (Patrick Lenyeletse) Gift Moyo, Omaatla Kebatho, Kobamelo Kebaikanye
Caution: Ramoraka
Chiefs 0
Orapa 1 (Moyo 11th)