Gunners in slim victory in CAF cup

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday February 20, 2012 00:00

Midfield dynamo, Maano Ditshupo and substitute, Oteng Moalosi scored on the 85th and 87th minute respectively.The visitors dictated play from the first whistle, playing a fast paced physical game that Gunners struggled to cope with.Gunners' goalkeeper, Raphael Nthwane was called to duty as early as the fourth minute parrying over a powerful shot by Rakotonorananitra Jean for a corner.

Tana closed down spaces quickly giving the home side little time on the ball. Gunners' skipper, Ofentse Mmipi tried a shot from long range on the 10th minute, but his effort went over the bar. Nthwane came to the rescue again on the 19th minute after Kerapetswe Mosimanekgosi, as the last man failed to make a clearance allowing Jean to force a close header. Joseph Keitseng thought he had found the opener for Mapantsula on the 24th minute with a cracker that hit underneath the crossbar, bounced on the goal line  and returned to play.Gunners slowly adapted to the pace of the game, but could not do anything to prevent Jean from scoring the opener on the 29th minute.

Rakotonorasoa Tolotia picked Jean with a cross from the left wing into the box that he calmly connected in past a helpless Nthwane with the Gunners defence ball-watching.  The game continued swinging from end to end with Gunners trying to come back into the match. Tana also continued attacking. The introduction of Moalosi in the second half sparked some life in Gunners' offensive play.They started threatening the visitors' goal. They however, still struggled to find a goal to put them back in the match. They missed a couple of chances with Boitshoko Zikhale denied by the upright on one occasion and on notable others, forcing the goalkeeper to make two good saves from close range.With hope slowly waning away, Ditshupo sent a 20-yard rocket that Tana goalkeeper Andriamifehy Chretien only realised by celebrations that it was in the net.Time seemed to be Mapantsula's greatest enemy, but a goalmouth melee on the 87th minute saw Moalosi brush the ball into the net with his chest.