Rampant Green Lovers Sweep GNT
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday November 13, 2017 15:21
Lovers, who endured a false start to the season, were registering their third consecutive win; scoring three goals in each. Lovers started the season with a young team dominated by Under-20 players from their development side.
“The young players are beginning to enjoy themselves,” Lovers coach, Othusitse Kootswele said.
“We are under no pressure at all; we are not even thinking {of} Premiership. I just want to help these boys become household names and find a future with top teams.”
Kootswele’s side showed no respect to a robust GNT. Two minutes from the start, Lovers’ Luthando Gaomodimo forced a diving save from GNT goalkeeper with a low drive at the foot of the left upright.
Two minutes later Lovers burst the dam. Following a neat move from the midfield, Kabo Gaolebale found Kesaobaka Ramotshwaedi with a sweeping pass and the latter drilled into the bottom right.
Lovers dictated the middle of the park with a passing game while GNT relied on long balls.
On the 38th minute, Ramotshwaedi released Rebaone Modisaotsile with a through pass but his end shot went inches past the far post.
A minute later he made up for his miss when he pounced into a napping defence, stole the ball and rounded the defender before plucking at the top left. Lovers took a 2-0 lead to the break. Seven minutes from the dugout, the Serowe outfit increased the lead with Innocent Thobosi who delicately controlled a long pass at the blind spot and beat the goalkeeper to the near post. It was nearly four a minute later but Ramotshwaedi’s effort was cleared off the line. Another Lovers attempt from Gaomodimo’s 20-yard grass cutter came off the upright.
GNT pulled one back on the 80th. Lovers’ goalkeeper failed to clear outside his box and Thabo Leposo, who had closed him down, took advantage and buried into the empty net.
In the last minute Modisaotsile rattled the crossbar with a 19 yards rocket from a free kick after the goalkeeper was penalised for handling outside the box.
Kootswele said they still have some work to do in the finishing department to maximise on the chances they are creating.
His opposite number, Edward Leposo said his defence was punished for lack of discipline. “For some reason we were over confident at the back and we made mistakes. We also broke down in the midfield and that is where we lost the game.”
The teams
GNT: Thatayaone Thandazela, Thabo Leposo, Moagi Marman, Maemo Sekepe, Gofamodimo Kobe, Buyani Kgomotso, Thabo Mfuma, Moathaedi Tichana (Musa Tamokate), Aobakwe Mopaki (Mompati Mmeshe), Molwantwa Nkaelang, Gothusamang Nkola (Kabelo Letshosa)
Lovers: Onkemetse Garetsosane, Innocent Thobosi, Rebaone Modisaotsile, Luthando Gaomodimo (Edwin Tshimologo), Kabo Gaolebale (Kealeboga Setume), Kesaobaka Ramotshwaedi (Kabelo Babusi), Essau Tiroyamodimo, Ignatious Ramasala, Silvester Kenamile, Thusego Gaodirelwe, Onthusitse Tamapo
Cautions: Gaodirelwe, Kobe
GNT 1 (Leposo 80th)
Lovers 3 (Ramotshwaedi 4th, Modisaotsile 39th, Thobosi 52nd)