ECCO beat BMC 4-1 in Mascom Top 8 thriller

Simon Jubane
Correspondent | Monday April 2, 2012 00:00

FRANCISTOWN: ECCO City Greens comfortably disposed of rivals BMC in a  3-1 victory in the Mascom Top8 quarterfinal, first leg. Nicholas Matlhare opened the scoring for ECCO in the 35th minute, but Kemmy Pilato equalized just six minutes later in an encounter that swung from one to another with few scoring opportunities for both sides.

The two teams went for the breather locked at 1-all draw. However Ecco came back rejuvenated and found two quick goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half and managed to defend them until the last whistle.

Lovemore Murirwa put ECCO ahead ten minutes into the second half. Thirteen minutes later, Gaotwesepe Legoreng scored the third goal. The first goal came following a goalmouth melee and BMC goalkeeper Tendai Ndoro was beaten when a forest of players obstructed his view, resulting in  the goal.  But Pilato's goal resulted from  ECCO defender Emmanuel Nlu's blunder. The defender's poor clearance fell on the path of Pilato who did not waste.

The second goal was  awe-inspiring. Murirwa took the BMC defenders head on with his trademark left foot and released a scorcher just outside the  box to beat Ndoro hands down. Malepa Bolelang created the third goal with a well weighed pass to Legoreng just outside the box, who scored with a powerful low. 

The visitors tried to take the game to their hosts. But the ECCO defense stood resolute and denied the usually marauding Keoagile Kobe any space. Daniel 'Chicco-Dance' Nare introduced Hillary Madzivanyika but the dreadlocked attacking midfielder did not tick.

Teams:ECCO: Chamunorwa Madamombe, Keabetswe Jenamo, Nlu, Trinity Nko, Ontse Ntesa, Zecco Makafiri, Matlhare, Legoreng, Patrick Lenyeletse, Tendai Nyumasi, Murirwa

BMC: Ndoro, Letsweletse Tshireletso, Omphemetse Molapo, Tshepo Maikano, Atang Mmale, Motsholetse Sekele, Patrick Mathaba, Mandla Sibanda, Pilato, Kobe (Madzivanyika 65th), Kenanao Kgetholetsile (Hendrick Moyo 70th)