Gunners KO Notwane

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday March 21, 2011 00:00

*Gunners won 6-5 on penalties

Extension Gunners sailed through to the semifinals of the 2011 Coca-Cola Cup edition following a 6-5 penalty shootout win over Notwane in a quarterfinal encounter here on Saturday afternoon. The two Premier League sides had played to a 2-2 draw in regulation time. The match started almost half an hour late following uncertainty over the pitch condition as officials from both clubs raised concern over the waterlogged pitch following some rain earlier during the day. There were visible water patches in some areas of the pitch as ground assistants were still doing markings when the teams came out to do their warm-ups. To add on to the pitch problems, soccer balls were nowhere to be found when the referee finally wanted to get the match underway, causing further delays as the match commissioner had to organise some balls.

The match finally got underway much to the delight of the gathered masses who were getting impatient by the minute. The water in the pitch killed the anticipated rhythm of play as both teams were forced to play long balls in an effort to avoid the ball getting stuck in water. This helped a little as players found themselves in a comic of errors due to the slippery pitch. The game however found a bit of rhythm as the players acclimatised to the pitch conditions and started mounting attacks to try and find the opener.  Gunners, who had conceded six goals without a response in the past 180 minutes of play against Notwane found themselves under pressure to avoid a third consecutive defeat at the hands of the Gaborone side. The first real chance of the game fell to Gunners on the 16th minute as Ofentse Mmipi unleashed a thunderbolt from the centre circle that Notwane keeper Bruce Ntsima failed to handle but Hendrick Moyo arrived late for the rebound. Notwane scored the opening goal on the 25th minute when Kaone Molefe pounced on a loose ball inside the 18-yard area from a seemingly offside position. Referee Kebafilwe Ratshipo however allowed the goal to stay much to the displeasure of Mapantsula faithful who were convinced the referee would rule for an offside.

Toronto's celebrations were cut shot by Kgololo Leteane a minute later as he scored the equaliser. Gunners' right back Finkie Mothibi received a ball from the restart of play at the centre circle and slotted in a brilliant cross that picked up Leteane who comfortably tapped the ball in past Ntsima to level the matters.

The two sides went for the break tied at 1-1. Gunners came from the break showing much determination than before putting Notwane defence under pressure. Leteane nearly doubled the lead for Gunners on the 50th minute with a powerful long range shot after beating two defenders with a fancy footwork but Ntsima stretched to parry the ball for a corner. Mmipi gave Mapantsula the lead for the first time in the game on the 72nd minute with a well executed out step shot from the edge of the goal area.  Notwane answered back on the 76th minute with a header by substitute Lemogang Maswena who also appeared to be on an offside position at the time the ball was played.

Gunners' fans, who until then were not happy with many of the referee's decisions nearly  caused an uproar as they complained bitterly of daylight robbery by the ref. The game ended 2-2 going straight into a penalty shoot-out. All the first five takers converted their penalties to go into sudden death. Kitso Tlhowe, who scored a brace when Notwane beat Gunners a week ago, could not believe it when his kick came off the upright. Mothibi followed and converted the last kick to give Gunners a 6-5 win and book a place in the semi-finals of the country's only prestigious Premier Cup competition with a prize money of half a million pula.

The line ups:Gunners: Raphael Nthwane-Mothibi, Zvichemo Katiyo, Monageng Thaele, Canny Gaontebale-Kemmy Pilato, Maano Ditshupo, Mmipi, Moyo, Leteane-Mbewe (Tiroyamodimo Mohambi 90)

Notwane: Ntsima-Moshe Moseki, Kutlo Sejeso, Desire Bafana, Agisanyang Ramaabya- Nelson Moreetsi, Tebogo Sembowa, Langson Sichola, Pako Moloi,-Molefe (Othusitse Mahube 87),Tlhowe (Maswena  44)

Cautions: Sichola 81, Nthwane 75, Maswena 76Ref: Kebafilwe RatshipoAssistants: Elijah Masitha & Thomas MolebatsiFourth official: Joshua Bondo.