Chouka Hand GNT First Defeat
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday November 6, 2017 11:43
After a late kickoff at the Francistown Old Stadium due to lack of corner flags, GNT caught the napping Chouka two minutes into the game and opened the score sheet. Aobakwe Mopaki went past Tshephang Boithatelo, who was trying to shield the ball for his goalkeeper, and poked past the stagnant number one.
Chouka equalised 20 minutes later in a less eventful first half. Omphemetse Bolofete’s long free kick was met by a well placed Boithatelo who made amends for his fault in the GNT goal and headed into the net.
From the dugout, Chouka returned a fired up side and pressed GNT high forward. Three minutes into the second half, Boitumelo Leagetse had a goal ruled out for an off side.
Chouka’s endless attacks on the GNT defence earned them a second goal in the 72nd minute. Batshwere Olebeng’s failed header clearance from a long free kick fell delicately for the just introduced Itumeleng Mabuaaeme inside the box and the youngster coolly slotted into the upper left. Six minutes later, Thatayaone Magazi interlinked with Kealeboga Oitsile with neat one touch passes inside the GNT box and the latter’s shot hit the crossbar. A minute later Magazi found himself one-on-one against the goalkeeper but a recovering defender did enough to take the striker off balance, his attempted shot went straight into the goalkeepers’ gloves. GNT’s bad day in the office was summed up by Thabo Mafuma who saw his header go wide with the goalkeeper beaten in the dying minutes. GNT coach, Edward Leposo said his team did not come to the party. “We did not play at all. Nothing can be said about this game, we just have to go back and work.”
His opposite number, Pule Mogotsi was happy with the result. “We showed character. It was a bad start due to the delays and we recovered well but we wasted a lot of chances. We will take the three points, but we still have to sharpen up our finishing,” he said.
The teams
GNT: Thatayaone Thandazela, Batshwere Olebeng, Moagi Marman, Maemo Sekepe, Gofamodimo Kobe, Buyani Kgomotso, Thabo Mfuma, Musa Tamokate (Thabo Leposo), Aobakwe Mopaki, Molwantwa Nkaelang (Bollen Modise), Gothusamang Nkola (Kabelo Letshosa)
Motlakase: Kagiso Moganetsi, Odirile Gabaleswe, Moathudi Sam, Tshephang Boithatelo, Moemedi Sendu, Molemisi Gaotlhobogwe (Kealeboga Oitsile), Thatayaone Magazi, Thabo Wetshoemang, Boitumelo Leagetse (Kutlo Sabofelo), Omphemetse Bolofete, Samuel Makgoro (Itumeleng Mabuaaeme)
Cautions: Sekepe, Sendu
GNT (1) 1 (Mopaki 2nd)
Motlakase (1) 2 (Boithatelo 22nd, Mabuaaeme 72nd)