Malepa drowns Nico United

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Monday January 17, 2011 00:00

 

Bolelang, who is also Ecco's captian, was firing on all cylinders as he single- handedly destroyed Majombolo in their own background.It took the Mamoja Diskie captain 33 minutes to find the back of the net. When the referee blew the whistle to start the encounter, Nico seemed like a team that wanted an early goal, which they did not attain.

It was on the last minute of the first half that the speedy striker Tendai Ndoro answered for Nico through a penalty. When the second half started, Nico kept on piling pressure on the Francistown side, but their shots sailed over the bar. Nico's forward Bernard Simakwenzi had a poor game as he kept on missing inviting chances.

He even failed to score when he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper after eluding the Ecco defence in the 55th minute. Such a waste was hard to stomach for multitudes of the home fans who were heard calling for his chop on the night.

Speaking after the game, Nico assistant coach, Toba Mothuba said they came into the game hoping to beat Ecco again. 'But in the game of football, you win some and lose some,' he said. Mothuba said his side failed to utilise the chances that comes their way and they got punished. He called on the Nico supporters not to press the panic buttons yet because they still have many games to play.

Majombolo came into the game after pulling a draw against Lobatse Extension Gunners the previous week. Mothuba mentioned that the substitutes that he brought in did not play according to his plan.

Ecco assistant coach Elijah April said they studied Nico's game plan after the defeat they suffered at the hands of Majombolo in Francistown in the first round of the league. He explained that they realised that Nico were seeking an early goal and they had to be on the ball all the time. April appreciated that Nico is a good side, which, if given too much room, could wreak havoc to any opponent.

This is how both sides lined up:

Ecco: Madamombe Chamunorwa, Nko Trinity, Mooketsi Hlabano (Bonolo Fraser 61), Kabo Mungabe, Emanuel Nlu, Zeco Makafiri, Mandlaenkosi Sibanda, Kafuko Mmoloki, Malepa Bolelang (C), Patrick Lenyeletse, Ontse Ntesa.Coach-Moyo

Nico: Ntungamili Tshoganetso, Thulani Moyo, Moagedi Tsametse (C), Omphile Mothathotsi, Kitso Kowa, Kgomotso Keitumetse (Khumoetsile Kufigwa 59 ), Ndoro, Odumetse Rakoma, Gift Moyo, Bernard Simakwenzi (Thabiso Lekesi 90), Monametsi Kelebale. Coach: Mothuba.

Referee: Omphile Phuthego Ass Referee: Ketogetswe Goitsemodimo and Monthusi SengegangFourth Official: Joshua Bondo