Tafic Claim Lions� Scalp
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday October 23, 2017 14:25
Lions have made a decision to play their category A matches here.
However, the new venue did not give them the best welcome as their neighbours did not extend the warmest greetings.
TAFIC burst the dam in the fifth minute of the game. Following short passes in front of the box, Lungisani Fanyana rolled a pass to Mbatshi Elias on the left and he drilled a low shot into the near post.
Five minutes later matters were level thanks to an own goal. Topo Piet, who was a thorn on the TAFIC defence’s flesh, dribbled past Kgakgamatso Ramatshosa and curled a cross and Thato Mosweu’s attempted clearance ended in the back of his own net.
Lions gained fluidity with small interlinking passes going forward but failed to profit. TAFIC resorted to long balls that gave Lions defence complications.
In the 21st minute, TAFIC reclaimed their lead. Kerapetse Mosimanekgosi posted a long free-kick to the far post and the unmarked Mooketsi Mampori cushioned into the net.
The goal saw them up their game and closed quickly on the Lions game to carry the lead into the break. TAFIC survived a scare five minutes from the dugout. A miscommunication that saw them share spoils with Police XI in their previous fixture, reared its head.
The goalkeeper collided with his defender in an attempt to clear, the ball fell for Unobatsha Mbaiwa inside the box and he failed to punish as his effort went agonisingly outside the empty net.
On the hour mark Elias saw his well connected header from a Motseoatlile Elijah’s pin point cross rattle the bottom of the upright. “It was not a good performance but it’s three points in the bag,” TAFIC stand-in coach Elias Chinyemba said.
“We took our chances today but we are still lacking a ball player in the midfield that is why we are forced to play long balls, which is not nice.”
Lions coach, Paradzayi Mandivenga was fuming with the officiating. He even took to the match official after the game to vent out his anger. “I can’t take anything from TAFIC they played well, but I am worried about the officiating. This man (referee) has dismissed me twice already and he keeps threatening me. I couldn’t even instruct my players because I fear a red card,” he said angrily.
The teams
Gilport Lions: Takudzwa Ndoro, Mpho Kgaswane, Sekgabo Molebatsi, Mosimanegape Ntwaetsile, Thabo Mothibi, Kabo Molome (Benson Ramolelwane), Kabelano Mooketsane, Joseph Miguel, Unobatsha Mbaiwa, Topo Piet (Nkalolang Gorosso), Mohammed Mgunda (Jackie Motlhatego)
TAFIC: Lesego Bosekeng, Motseoatile Elijah, Thato Mosweu, Samuel Phiri, Kgakgamatso Ramatshosa, Kerapetse, Obakeng Gaanabeng, Mooketsi Mampori (Uyapo Thibathuwe), Obakeng Gaanabeng, Kemoreeng Batisani (Rodney Buka), Mbatshi Elias, Lungisani Fanyana
Cautions: Molebatsi, Miguel
Dismissal: Gaanabeng
Gilport Lions (1) 1 (Mosweu OG 10th)
TAFIC (2) 2 (Elias 5th, Mampori 21st)