Chiefs get late winner

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday January 17, 2011 00:00

 

The match was in no doubt a few minutes before kick-off as the skies opened heavily on the pitch and the referee had to do thorough inspection before giving the match a go ahead.

The first half was nothing but a dull affair owing to the slippery conditions of the seemingly waterlogged pitch at the University stadium. Despite the unfavourable pitch conditions, the hosts still managed to force a few good saves from TASC goalkeeper Biemba Senoya in the first half before Pontsho Moloi found the opener on the 39th minute. The dribbling wizard received a neat pass from Othusitse 'Jabu' Pilane in the middle of the park and managed to control the ball well before unleashing a shot with his left foot beating Senoya hands down. Chiefs went to the break on the lead.

After the break, the two sides started playing interesting football as the rain had stopped and with the pitch condition improving.  The visitors enjoyed much of the possession in the second stanza but never created a genuine goal scoring chance until on the 70th minute when Keabetswe Batunda slid a low ball under diving Chiefs' keeper Mompoloki Sephekolo to level the matters.

Chiefs found themselves on inches of taking the lead 10 minutes later as substitute Oteng Moalosi jumped more than everyone to connect a high cross from Moloi but lacked composure in the air and headed the ball way over the bar. Chiefs started piling pressure on the visitors' defence and Senoya was called back in action on the 81st minute to deny Elijah Montsho's close effort with a brilliant save.

Lesego Galenamotlhale saw his penalty plea on the 86th minute turned down after he clashed with Senoya inside the box in a 50/50 ball situation. Tshepo Motlhabankwe was cautioned for complaining to the referee for not giving a penalty but instead awarding a free kick to TASC. TASC defender Ramateke Ramosoka made a goal line to deny Moalosi grab a winner with three minutes to go before towering defender Itayi Gwandu forced another save from Senoya. Senoya was cautioned for handling the ball too long and an indirect free kick awarded to Chiefs inside the box deep into injury time.

Moyana stepped up and pounced in a low ball under the unsuspecting TASC wall to finally get the winner for Magosi and send the crowd into jubilation before the referee blew the final whistle.  Some drama followed after the final whistle as Senoya and some TASC officials tried to manhandle the referee as they were not happy with the free kick decision that resulted in Chiefs' winning goal. Senoya was given a yellow card for the post-match revolt.

Other resultsEcco-2-1  Nico United, Mtlakase 2-0 Black Peril, GU 2-1 Miscelleneous,  TAFIC 3-1 Extension Gunners, BMC 3-4 Santos,

This is how the teams lined up:

Chiefs: Sephekolo-Motlhabankwe, Gwandu, Masire, Mpoeleng Mpoeleng-Galenamotlhale, Moyana, Moloi, Pilane (Arnold Bonang 85)- Eric Molefi (Moalosi 57), Tshepiso Kgosiemang (Montsho 72)TASC: Senoya-Obey Kgomo, Vincent Radisoeng, Tshoganetso Malizinba (Eric Ntlhoiwa 85), Ramosoka-Opelo Godfrey, Onkabetse Kgaogano, Oneeleng Letsweletse, Oarabile Powe (Kelebogile Mausu 64)-Batunda, Andrew Thebe

Man of the match: SenoyaCautions: Motlhabankwe 86, Ramosoka 80+5, Senoya (after match)

Match Rating: 6/10