ECCO book Top 8 semi final berth

Boitumelo Khutsafalo
Staff Writer | Monday April 30, 2012 00:00

 

The match produced only a few scoring opportunities in the first half with play concentrated in the middle of the park where the duel between BMC midfielder, Kemmy Pilato and ECCO's veteran midfielder, Zecco Makafiri caught the eye.  The latter though won the battle and Pilato was substituted in the second half.

In one of the few goal scoring chances of the second half, ECCO's Lovemore Murirwa tested BMC goalkeeper, Takudzwa Ndoro from outside the box, but Ndoro  parried the ball away for a corner in the 21st minute. Thirteen minutes later, Tendai Nyumasi put ECCO in front with an easy tap in. The goal resulted from Murirwa's trickery on the right and a good ball into the danger zone, which Ndoro failed to deal with and the Zimbabwean striker  was at hand to capitalise.

BMC's exciting midfielder, Keoagile Kobe who has been on a scintillating form recently struggled to find his magic wand this time around. Nyumasi's solitary strike separated the two sides at half time.  ECCO were the first to get a real scoring chance early in the second half, but Nyumasi wasted a glorious opportunity.  Nyumasi had found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He tried to chip the ball over Ndoro, but the ball hit the cross bar before going out for a goal kick. BMC's supporters' appeals for a penalty were ignored by the referee, Lekgotla Johannes in the 51st minute. In the 54th minute, BMC coach, Daniel Nare made three substitutions. Mandlaenkosi Sibanda replaced Kobe, Lesego Lubinda came on for Pilato and Tang Male made way for Motshegetsi Sikele. The substitutions nearly paid dividends as BMC started to create more scoring opportunities. ECCO goalkeeper, Chamunorwa Madamombe made two brilliant saves in few seconds, denying Kenanao Kgetholetsile and Sikele in the 67th minute.

However, BMC were caught napping at the back and a good combination between Malepa Bolelang and Murirwa saw the latter scoring ECCO's second goal of the match. Realising that the match was now beyond BMC's reach, ECCO coach,  Atshele Molapi immediately removed Murirwa and introduced speedy winger, Nicholas Mathare. BMC's consolation goal came in the dying minutes with a beautiful free kick by Sikele.

The line-ups:BMC: Ndoro, Letsweletse Tshireletso, Omphemetse Molapo, Tsjepo Maikano, Thuto Motlhatlhobi, Male (Sikele 54), Patrick Mathaba, Pilato (Lubinda 54), Kenanao Kgetholetsile, Kobe (Sibanda 54), Hendrick Moyo

ECCO: Madamombe, Trinity Nko, Mooketsi Hlabano, Emmanuel Nlu, Keabetswe Jenamiso, Makafiri, Mmoloki Kafuko, Nyumasi, Patrick Lenyeletse (Gaotwesepe Legoreng 44), Bolelang, Murirwa (Mathare 77)Cautions: Kgetholetsile, MakafiriReferee: Lekgotla Johannes