Maswena breaks Chiefs hearts

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Monday December 6, 2010 00:00

 

Referee Tirelo Mositwane was on the spot yesterday as his dubious decisions caused unnecessary tensions between Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Notwane players at UB Stadium. The match ended 1-1.

Mositwane first denied Chiefs what looked like a legitimate goal in the 28th minute when Moemedi 'Jomo' Moatlhaping headed in a cross from Othusitse Pilane who had snatched the ball from Kutlo Sejeso on the right. After this, it was clear Mositwane was under pressure to compensate the Kgatleng giants for their earlier 'loss'. He made dubious decisions against Notwane and shocked many when he blew for a penalty in the 41st minute claiming Moatlhaping had been fouled inside the box when it was clear the Notwane defender had cleared the ball before making contact with the striker. No card was flashed and Moatlhaping stepped up quickly to score from the spot, making it 1-0  before the break.

Now under pressure to 'balance things' and perhaps taking emotional decisions, Mositwane flashed a yellow card at Chiefs' Kekaetswe 'Mara' Moloi on 82nd  minute for an alleged simulation. Angry at the referee's decision, the player retaliated eight minutes later with a vicious tackle on Notwane defender Isaac Paeyee which earned him a red card.  Notwane deserved credit for their gallant fight against Chiefs who clearly came to the match as favourites. Chiefs failed to exert pressure on their opponents and increase their lead in the second half. They should have gone up in the fifth minute when Pilane sliced through the  defence with a cross from the right finding Mara Moloi just in front of  Botlhe Moralo in the Notwane goal but the Chiefs' striker shot wildly. Galabgwe Moyana and Pilane combined again in the 13th minute to set Mara Moloi but once again he shot over the cross bar.

Although Chiefs were the most offensive in the early stages, Notwane's youngsters refused to be outdone.

Tshepo Motlhabankwe had all sorts of problems trying to close down the skilful Kitso Tlhowe but often he was second best only to be saved by towering sweeper Itai Gwandu. With Notwane gradually finding their feet, Tlhowe tested Mompoloki Sephekolo in the 24th minute with a powerful shot which the Chiefs' goalkeeper was fortunate to deal with. This came after Moyana had cut through the Notwane defence and forced a corner from the suspect Moralo.

Motlhabankwe found himself chasing shadows again in the 39th minute as Tlhowe turned him but the Notwane striker was thwarted by Sephekolo who fisted the ball out for a corner.

After the controversial penalty in the 41st minute, Chiefs looked determined to stretch the lead before the break and Notwane parried attack after attack. Chiefs nearly increased the lead just a minute after re-start when Pontsho Moloi took advantage of a concentration lapse to pounce on a through ball from Lesego Galenamotlhale.

But with only Moralo to beat, the dribbling wizard failed to put score against his former teammates.

Four minutes later, Chiefs caught their opponents on the counter and Moralo desperately came out to save and failed but Agisanyang Ramaabya arrived just in time to avert disaster.

The turning point came when Notwane coach Moeteledi Chaenda introduced Lemogang Maswena in the 60th minute pulling off Mosese Moseki.

The skilful Maswena showed no respect for his senior opponents and inspired his team mates to go for the equaliser. Motlhabankwe and Gwandu found themselves with an even more dangerous player to deal with after the departure of Tlhowe.

Then came Mothusi Lekoko in the 71st minute, another crafty player whose skinny figure does not make him less dangerous and the Chiefs' defence was pushed to the limit. Lekoko and Tlhowe combined in the 84th minute to produce Notwane's equaliser and help the ailing giants to an unlikely draw against title-chasing Magosi.

Line ups: Chiefs, Mompoloki Sephekolo, Itai Gwandu, Lesego Galenamotlhale (Oteng Moalosi 76) Mpoeleleng Mpoeleng, Tshepo Motlhabnkwe, Elija Montsho(James Kachinga 64), Othusitse Pilane, Pontsho Moloi, Kekaetswe Moloi, Galabwe Moyana (Stanley Tsolope 85), Moemedi Moatlhaping.

Coach: Innocent MorapediDismissal: Kekaetswe Moloi

Notwane: Botlhe Moralo, Langson Sichula, Desire Bafana, Agisanyang Ramaabya, Tebogo Sembowa (Kanamile Mani 90), Nelson Moreetsi, Kutlo Sejeso, Moses Moseki, (Lemogng Maswena 58) Kgaodi Odirile, Isaac Paeyee, Kitso Tlhowe (Mothusi Lekoko71) 

Coach: Moeteledi ChaendaReferee : Tirelo MositwaneAssistant: Elija Masitha, Gabokwalwe GabolekweFourth Official: Kebafilwe Ratshipo