Notwane Clinch Kabelano Charity Cup

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Tuesday July 3, 2007 00:00

 

The win gave Toronto P100,000. Notwane reached the final for the second year running after coming from a goal down to beat Gaborone United 2-1 in the first semi-final. Chiefs made it to the decider after a marathon post match penalty shootout against blood rivals and defending champions Township Rollers. In the final, they faltered in extra time after the regulation 90 minutes failed to break a 1-1 deadlock.

Though some may not have given Notwane a chance to lift the cup after a disastrous end to the season, they displayed good football and proved once again that they are a force to reckon with. With Dirang Moloi back in the team for the competition, Toronto were always dangerous in attack. The international midfielder stamped his authority in the tournament with his trickery and well-timed passes. Chiefs looked dangerous when going forward and had stability at the back where the new men Tshepo 'Talk Talk' Motlhabankwe and Given Mpundu were impressive. Zambian Mpundu was very calm at the heart of the Chiefs defence.

Notwane were the first to score when Tshepiso Molwantwa headed home a corner from Moloi as early as the second minute. Chiefs nearly equalised in the 14th minute when Motlhabankwe was given room outside the 18th area but his thunderbolt went over the bar. The defender made no mistake in the 33rd minute with a brilliant shot from Stanley Tsolope's cross. The equaliser seemed to spark both teams into action and the game became more open. Three minutes later, Molwantwa missed a sitter when his shot went wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

In the second half, Notwane nearly went into the lead when bustling striker, Jones Kwape outpaced Chiefs' defence but goalkeeper, Noah Maposa made a good save to deny him in the 46th minute. Seconds later it was the turn of Notwane goalkeeper, Mmoloki Sephekolo to pull a brilliant save when he parried away Tsolope's well timed shot from outside the area. 

The young striker was replaced in the 50th minute by hard working winger, Othusitse 'Jabu' Pilane who quickly became the main man for Chiefs especially with his runs on the right and his dangerous crosses. Notwane replaced Molwantwa with Langson Sichola in the 61st minute.

The move paid dividends as the Zambian striker scored the two extra time goals that gave Toronto the cup. He shot Notwane in the lead in the 107th minute after he was put through by Moloi. A good run by Keoagetse 'Barnes' Radipotsane to the box gave Centre Chiefs' defence a hard time and Sichola took advantage to make it 3-1.

After the game, Notwane's assistant coach, Moeteledi Chaenda praised his charges for a brilliant performance. He said that their strategy of going in the final was to take it easy and avoid the mistakes they made in the first game. Chiefs' coach, Mike 'Dubula Dubula' Sithole said the fact that his players did not have enough time to recover after the game against Rollers worked against the team.
'Our first game against Rollers was very difficult and I think my players gave all their energy to that match and against Notwane, they were tired,' he said.