Mamoja-Diskie sink Ezinkomo

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Monday September 27, 2010 00:00

The visiting ECCO ran away with a 2-1 victory on Saturday through first half goals from Mandlaenkosi 'Sukunyetsa' Sibanda. Kenanao Kgetholetsile pulled one back for BMC in the second half when the homeside came out with guns blazing trying to force a draw.

The two teams were almost at par in the first half but ECCO were more resourceful hence their two goals. ECCO has a narrow escape as early as the fourth minute when Kobe Keoagile of BMC weaved his way past three defenders on the right and swung a dangerous cross that came off the cross bar with goalkeeper Michael 'Tafarel' Onkutule well-beaten. A minute later it was BMC on the receiving end as Mmoloki Kofuko capitalised on Alex Matshameko's mistake to hit the left post with goalkeeper Cosmos Lombala beaten hands down.

Five minutes later, BMC's burly striker Owen Mwendabai's header came off Onkutule's crossbar after he beat the defence for a high ball. The Zambian forward was again on target in the 15th minute forcing Onkutule to spill the ball but fellow striker Kgetholetsile failed to capitalise. Before the agony of the missed opportunity could pass, Sibanda found himself unmarked inside the box and with the BMC defence out of sorts, he slotted home to open the score.

It was clear after the goal that the hosts were under tremendous pressure committing some school boy errors out of desperation. Ompemetse Molapo and Matshameko struggled to closed down Malepa 'Chippa' Bolelang, Bonolo Fraiser and Patrick Lenyeletse. This forced left wing back Mosimanegape Ramoshibidu to often move from his position to the right as he tried to neutralise ECCO's attack.

Two minutes before the break, the reliable Ramoshibidu stepped off the pedal to let Bolelang cross the ball from the right for the oncoming Sibanda to beat Lombala with a diving header to make 2-0. In the second half, ECCO survived a relentless onslaught as BMC took control of the proceedings for long periods. However, anxiety proved fatal to BMC's quest to get something from the match as they wasted good chances.

Coach Kaizer Kalambo was forced to replace the injured Lombala in the 53rd minute and the substitute Takudzwa Ndoro did not disappoint whenever he was called to action. In the 64th minute, Kgetholetsile found himself with only Onkutule to beat after good work by Atang Mmale and Ramoshibidu. But the striker shot straight at the ECCO goalkeeper much to the frustration of Ezinkomo fans.

Lenyeletse nearly made it 3-0 for ECCO in the 70th minute after beating Matshameko on the left but his shot sailed past Ndoro's goal. Kgetholetsile who had been rather wasteful most of the afternoon redeemed himself in the 72nd minute to make it 2-1. The goal and the introduction of veteran striker, Phemelo Ditsile, seemed to add more fire to BMC's attack.

ECCO defender Keabetswe Janamiso was sent off after a dangerous tackle on Mwendabai.

With Janamiso having left the already shaky ECCO defence, Bolelang was forced to fall back to beef up the rearguard. In the end, ECCO survived the late scare to travel back home with their 100 percent record in tact.

Team line ups;BMC: Lombala (Ndoro 53), Junior Samoenza (Ofana Motsumi 26), Ramoshibidu, Omphemetse Molapo, Alex Matshameko, Patrick Mathaba, Motsholetsi Sikele, Kobe Keoagile, Kennao Kgetholetsile, Owen Mwendabai (Phemelo Ditsile), Atang Mmale. 

ECCO: Onkutule, Trinity Nko, Mooketsi Nhlabano (Kereeditse  Maphane 58), Emmanuel Nlu, Jenamiso, Danie Takoban, Sibanda, Mmoloki Kafuko, Malepa Bolelang, Bonolo Fraiser (Nicholas Matlhare 64), Patrick Lenyeletse.      

Cautions: Omphemetse Molapo 23, Matshameko 58Dismissal: Jenamiso

Referee: Lekgotla JohannesAss referees: Gabokwalwe Gabolekwe and Bakwena SimankaleleFourth official: Jackson Simon