Motlakase breathe sigh of relief after Peril victory

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Monday November 29, 2010 00:00

Typical of teams fighting for survival, the two sides were never at ease throughout the match and even the ultimate victors were often tense during the match.

Apart from the only goal scored in the match, there could not be much to excite the few soccer followers who watched the match at SSKB.

The second half, though looked promising, especially as Peril were trying to get an equaliser as early as possible while the visitors were trying to score that crucial second goal which would put them in the comfort zone.

A defensive lapse by Motlakase in the 48th minute saw Peril striker Lally Oabile set up Kakanyo Motlhabanare with a clinical pass just in front of the goalkeeper but the dread locked midfielder fluffed the chance much to the dismay of Ezekiel Mpofu and his bench.

The hosts were able to force their opponents to concede some set pieces in the early stages of the second half as Stanley Mwaanga's boys sat back trying to protect what they already had but were all wasted by poor finishing perhaps resulting from anxiety. Mwaanga made a double substitution in the 47th minute pulling off Tony Selala and Kagiso Ramokgathadi for Jomo Bolofete and Oaitse Joseph as the need for more firepower arose and within minutes after coming on veteran Bolofete's one-two with Gaokgorwe was able to open space for Saukani Zulu who wasted the chance by dilly-dallying until the opposition defence recovered.

As Peril's problems increased on the day, referee Gaontebale Malete blew for penalty in the 59th minute after Hillary Madzivanyika was brought down inside the box.

But Lesego Lubinda's short hit the cross bar and was cleared to safety by the host's defence.

Veteran striker Raymond Gumbo should have levelled the score for Peril in the 64th minute but his 'baby' shot did not trouble Kabelo Osupile in Motlakase goal and his fans were clearly not happy at all.

As the second stanza continued, Peril were guilty of giving away possession easily and Motlakase seemed to express themselves better with so dwarf touches but anxiety and lack of urgency in some instances proved their downfall otherwise they could have taken advantage to increase their lead.

With the clock ticking, Peril showed clear signs of desperation as shots were taken from angles when crosses were supposed to be sent in to destabilise the opposition.

Team line-upsBlack Peril: Tumiso Mashakola, Amuchilani Mbotho, Onneile Segwai, George Mponiki, Othusitse Marumo, Mamikina Mayunga, Thato Pilane, Oaitse Lemme, Lally Oabile(Benny Machelo 78), Kakanyo Motlhabanare, Bakang Masisi.

Coach: Ezekiel Mpofu

Motlakase: Kabelo Osupile,Kagiso Ramokgathadi(Omphile Madala47), Gosego Molapisi, Owen Baruti, Tony Selala (Bolofete47), Hillary Madzivanyika, Lesego Lubinda, Thatoyothe Gaokgorwe, Saukani Zulu, Omphile Madala, Leutlwetse Tshireletso.

Coach: Stanley Mwaanga

Referee: Gaontebale Malete

Ass:Moemefi Monakwane,Tebogo Ramotshwarapudi

Fourth: Gabokwalwe Gabolekwe