Chiefs Lost In The Forest
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday October 23, 2017 14:44
Black Forest took the lead as early as the 12th minute when Chiefs defence was caught napping. Tlhalefang received the ball with only Chiefs goalkeeper, Siamang Kgosipula to beat.
He calmly slotted past the advancing goalkeeper to give Black Forest the lead. Forest continued to press forward with Gofaone Mabaya and Tlhalefang giving Chiefs defence a hard time with their runs.
Chiefs on the other hand, failed to click and needlessly lost possession easily. Following their continued pursuit of a second goal, Black Forest were rewarded when Tlhalefang grabbed his brace with an easy tap, connecting from a well laid cross from the right. The two goals separated the two sides at half time.
In the second half, Chiefs made several substitutions including the introduction of Thatayaone Ramatlapeng for an ineffective Tendai Nyamadzawo, as they tried to get back into the game.
They pulled one back through midfielder, Thato Ogopotse but their celebrations were short lived as Black Forest caught them napping once again at the back. Tlhalefang completed his hat trick, connecting from a long throw in to put the game beyond Chiefs’ reach.
His exploits came at the right time with former Zimbabwean striker, Gilbert Mushangashike watching him from the stands. Mushangashike is set to take over as the head coach at the club, replacing Rapelang Tsatsilebe whose contract was not renewed at the end of the season.
Speaking to the journalists after the match, a delighted Black Forest caretaker coach, Reetsang Letlotlo said their plan, which was to press Chiefs from the start, worked well.
“We knew Chiefs would knock the ball around so our plan was that every time we win the ball, we move forward with speed. That was the only way to open them at the back,” he said. It was Chiefs’ second consecutive loss, having been defeated by the same score by Miscellaneous on Tuesday.
The teams:
Chiefs: Siamang Kgosipula, Goitseone Legopelo (Lorato Botshelo), Katlego Koobake, Charles Mutero, Thato Kebue, Thato Ogopotse, Othusitse Pilane, Lawrence Majawa, Tendai Nyamadzawo (Thatayaone Ramatlapeng), Khumoetsile Kufigwa, Lesego Lubinda (Ototeng Dintwa)
Black Forest: Itumeleng Selapa, Goabaone Mogorosi, Basiamisi Sebapalo, Mosimanyana Letsholo, Kennedy Taukobong, Koketso Majafi, Mogomotsi Kerebotswe, Tiro Pheresi, Jean Stephanus, Gofaone Mabaya, Molaodi Tlhalefang (Tonderai Nyakuba)
Chiefs 1 (Ogopotse 50th)
Black Forest 3 (Tlhalefang 11th, 43rd, 55th)