Ecco falls off the pace

Frederick Kebadiretse
Staff Writer
@ SSKB Stadium | Monday November 8, 2010 00:00

 

ECCO City Greens failed to take advantage of log leaders Township Rollers' inactivity on Saturday to top the standings after playing to a 2-2 draw with BDF XI.

Mamoja-Diskie had to come from behind twice during the match to force a draw with Sikalame 'Six' Keatlholetswe's army side. Desperate to avoid another defeat after two consecutive losses to Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs, BDF XI drew first blood in the 12th minute through Letlhomela Ramabele.

The lanky forward pounced after ECCO goalkeeper, Chamunorwa Madamombe saved what could have been an own goal by defender Keaebetswe Jenamiso. Despite the goal, Matebele continued attacking with Molatedi 'Toronto' Mabina giving the ECCO defence a torrid first half. The former national Under-23 man had a field day dribbling through the ECCO defence with ease and providing crosses. He was often let down by his teammates' poor finishing. ECCO levelled in the 24th minute through captain Malepa 'Chippa' Bolelang's well-taken free-kick. The be-MOBILE Premier League leading marksman took his tally to 11 goals. BDF XI took the lead again in the 34th minute following a defensive blunder by ECCO central defender Emmanuel Nlu. The defender's weak back pass was intercepted by Ramabele who riffled past Madamombe, to complete his brace. BDF XI led 2-1 at the recess. After the break, ECCO coach Maxwell Moyo made two substitutions to bolster his attack. He brought in Tseompe Makumbi for Zeko Makafiri who seemed to be struggling with an injury and Bonolo Fraizer for Nicolas Matlhare. The substitutions soon bore fruit, as Fraizer became the provider for Kafuko's equalising goal in the 50th minute. Keatlholetswe also made double substitutions bringing in Jones Kwape and Lemponye Tshireletso in search of maximum points. Khalid Niyonzima in BDF XI goal made two consecutive saves in the dying minutes of the game to deny Mandlaenkosi Sibanda. Ramabele could have earned maximum points in injury time when he received the ball unmarked inside the box but he ballooned the ball over the bar.

In other be MOBILE games played on Saturday, trouble-ridden Extension Gunners narrowly beat Black Peril 1-0 in Lobatse. In Molepolole, Moemedi 'Jomo' Moatlhaping scored four goals as Mochudi Centre Chiefs gave Serowe side Miscelleneus a 6-0 drubbing.

BDF XI-ECCO line-ups

 BDF XI: Khalid Niyonzima-Seboloko Khutsafalo, Bakani Loeto, Moreetsi Mosimanyana, Otlaantshekela Mooketsi, Mabina, Kabo Siane (Tshireletso 65), Gaopatwe Seosenyeng, Kabo Rasuping, Ramabele, Mogae Lephojane (Kwapa 65).

Coach: Keatlholetswe

ECCO: Madamombe- Trinity Nko, Kafuko, Nlu, Jenamiso, Kabo Mungabe, Matlhare (Fraizer 47), Makafiri (Makumbi 47), Bolelang, Sibanda, Patrick Lenyeletse.Coach: Moyo.

Cautions: Lephojane 10, Mabina 15, Mooketsi 29, Nyionzima 33, Makafiri 43, Mosimanyana 84.

Man of the Match: Letlhomela Ramabele

Referee: Kebafilwe Ratshipo1st assistant: Gabokwalwe Gaolekwe2nd assistant: Tebogo Ramotshwarapula4th official: Lekgotla Johannes

Match rating: 7/10