Elijah Shines As TAFIC Stun Gunners
Chakalisa Dube | Monday January 15, 2018 17:00
The player struggled at the beginning of the season and was subjected to so much criticism by the supporters. The former Extension Gunners man has however managed to redeem himself in recent matches. On Saturday, he starred in a 1-0 win against Gunners in an encounter that was fairly attended.
The weekend clash also marked the return of marksman Mbatshi Machongo who was shipped to Sua Flamingoes last August. Machongo was introduced during the late stages of the proceedings. Rapelang Tsatsilebe was also making his debut as TAFIC coach having joined late last week on a short-term deal.
Apart from turning provider to Upoga Dikesha’s goal in the 25th minute, Elijah delivered a few telling crosses inside the Gunners goal area.
He was however let down by poor finishing from his colleagues especially striker Dikesha. Before the goal, the match was a cagey affair. TAFIC settled well after taking the lead and started launching a wave of attacks.
In the first half, Gunners were disjointed and often out numbered in the midfield but fared much better in the second stanza.
In the 25th minute, Gunners defender Desire Bafana was caught napping by Elijah’s high cross, which was eventually headed home by Dikesha. Thirty-four minutes into play TAFIC winger, Mooketsi Mampori navigated his way through the defenders but did the unthinkable shooting straight at the visitors goalkeeper, Katlego Mbise.
Gunners missed two notable opportunities to equalise in the first half. Both came in quick succession a minute from the break and were quick long-range shots from Ofentse Mmipi and Kenanao Kgetholetsile respectively.
Both shots went inches over the bar. Kgetholetsile could have gotten Gunners back into the match eight minutes after the break but could not effectively connect with a cross from right with the goalie the only man to beat. Gunners forward Onalethata Khuta found himself one-on-one with TAFIC goalkeeper, Lesego Osekeng in the 55th minute but hit the side netting.
The match was disrupted by power cuts in the 76th minute. The situation was resolved within five minutes before it resurfaced two minutes later. Prior to the second disruption, Elijah cleared Mmipi’s tap in ball from the line.
The power cuts that left both mentors fuming was resolved shortly. The power disruptions appeared to have impacted negatively on the momentum of the match as the last few minutes were played with less enthusiasm. TAFIC enjoyed a neat passing game in the second half but were not that threatening like in the first half. There were however a few instances where they could have extended their lead.
The teams:
Gunners: Katlego Mbise, Katlego Mothibi,Desire Bafana, Leteng Legopelo, Michael Tinye,Mothusi Cooper, Ofentse Mmipi, Tlhabo Metlhayotlhe, Emmanuel Sekwena Elvis Mosea), Onalethata Khuta (Brian Mankanku) Kgetholetsile (Kudzani Machazani)
TAFIC: Lesego Bosekeng, Motseoatile Elijah, Thato Mosweu, Kgakgamatwo Ramatshosa, Bokamoso Mbamo, Molebatsi Kangangwani, Mooketsi Mampori( Uyapo Thibathuwe), Rodney Buka, Kwashu Makai, Upoga Dikesha, Onkemetse Powe (Machongo).
TAFIC 1 (Dikesha 25th)
Gunners 0