ECCO Dump BDF XI Out Of Coke Cup

GALE NGAKANE
Correspondent | Monday February 15, 2010 00:00

The match was decided in the fifth minute when Lenyeletse got to the end of a Mandlaenkosi 'Sukunyetsa' Sibanda cross and easily tapped the ball home. Otlaantshekela Mooketsi failed to clear a pass from the midfield and Sibanda pounced on the loose ball. The mercurial Sibanda sold a dummy to the approaching Mompati 'Apache' Thuma and lobbed in a cross, which was missed by the fast running Bonolo Fraizer, but Lenyeletse was on hand to finish with a simple tap.

For the better part of the first half ECCO, who used Fraizer as a lone striker, dictated terms but missed several opportunities. In the eighth minute, Sibanda was caught off side as he was about to pull the trigger. He was at it a minute later when BDF XI lost concentration lapse, but his pass to Fraizer was intercepted by Thuma.

BDF XI came close to scoring in the 15th minute following a corner which was taken by Patrick Motsepe. A pinpoint header from Mokgathi Mokgathi inside the penalty box rebounded off Trinity Nko's chest. The referee allowed a drinks break midway through the first half due to the high temperatures. BDF XI came back charging after the mini-break.

The soldiers came with guns blazing from the left flank with a good interchange between Kabo Siane, Mokgathi and Peter Ngwenya whose header was blocked by goalkeeper Michael 'Tafarel' Onkutlule.

A relieved ECCO assistant coach, Atshele Molapi said they deliberately played a lone striker and packed the midfield. 'We know that BDF is strong in the middle. And we packed it so that we block any of their moves. It looks like it worked because they were not threatening at all,' said Molapi. A crestfallen Stanley Mwaanga, BDF XI coach conceded that his strike force was ineffective hence they did not score goals.

'Peter Ngwenya wasted a lot of chances,' was all the affable coach could say.