Nico wilt under ECCO charge

MOGOMOTSI MOLOI
Correspondent | Tuesday April 3, 2007 00:00

On Sunday ECCO played impressively in the first half before taking their foot off the pedal in the second half due to fatigue.

The Mamoja-diskie defence was more steady after the return of lanky Zimbabwean Nkosinathi Dube who has been battling with work permit problems for a long time.
Bolelang started causing havoc early but on several occasions, he found that Nico's experienced goalkeeper Chrispen Nyamutamba was equal to the task. But Sibanda found a way past the Majombolo custodian in the ninth minute with a header to give his side the lead. However, Moagedi Tsametse responded for the visitors through a penalty to level the scores 1-1.

Two minutes after the equaliser, Bolelang sneaked from the flatfooted Nico defence to make it 2-1 just before recess. Throughout the first half, Majombolo rarely bothered ECCO.

The second half was a less thrilling affair though Nico had the edge. But their efforts did not yield fruit especially with Eric Molebatsi posting a below par performance in the engine room.

In the dying minutes, Nico conceded a penalty that Bolelang stepped up to smash into the back of the net. The brace increased the striker's  chances of defending the Golden Boot Award he won last season.

Bolelang now has 12 goals, two behind Notwane's currently struggling Tshepiso 'Sox' Molwantwa.

Nico manager Sam Kelebale told Mmegi Sport that the last minute penalty they conceded was unfair.

After the game, he fumed at the referee though he admitted that his boys were poor in first half. He said their second half fighting spirit impressed him though they were not lucky to score. ECCO assistant coach Atshele Molapi was lost for words after the win.
He said he was thrilled by the way his charges played in the first half and that how they won the match. 'It was clear that we were going to win in first half,' asserted Molapi.
He vowed that they would fight with all they have to maintain a safe margin at the top so that they realise their dreams of becoming the first club from the north to win the national title.

 He pointed out that every game is crucial at this point in time especially that the league is about to end.