Pontsho Sends Chiefs To Coke Finals

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday July 23, 2012 00:00

Moloi connected a swift cross by winger Galabgwe Moyana squeezing the ball through Rollers defenders, Edwin Olerile and Agisanyang Ramaabya before blasting  past Kabelo Dambe who stood no chance. Until the goal, the game looked like it could go either way as both teams had created chances that they failed to finish.

The early stages of the contest for the half a million Pula cup saw an open game, with Rollers controlling the tempo and Chiefs always looking for a quick counter-attack.

The league champions grew in stature and confidence as the half progressed, and based on the chances they created, they should have gone into the break leading. They however, lacked composure up-front with the Moloi brothers Dirang and Pontsho missing some chances.

Zimbabwean defender, Arnold Chaka was unlucky not to score in the 15th minute as his effort from close range came off the upright with Dambe at sixes and sevens. Dirang and Pontsho tore apart the Rollers defence in the 21st minute, but the younger of the brothers decided to pass the ball back when going for goal seemed an easier option.

Mike Sithole's men notched up a few gears after the break and came close to taking the lead 20 second into the half as Sekhana Koko's shot bounced off the upright when Chiefs goalkeeper Mompoloki Sephekolo was still settling into goal. Olerile had another chance to put Popa on the lead in the 56th minute finishing off a move orchestrated by Koko on the right wing, but his shot went inches over the bar.

The Moloi brothers were at it again in the 64th minute this time putting in a third Moloi, Kekaetswe in the equation as Dirang released his trademark pinpoint passes to Pontsho, who in return delivered a cross to Kekaetswe forcing Dambe to produce what was the best save of the match. Dirang had a brilliant game reminding supporters he still had the class that made him a household name in domestic league a couple of seasons back.

The win maintained Magosi's hopes for a double this season while leaving record Coca-Cola cup holders Rollers a bitter pill to swallow as they had hoped to win a sixth title.

Line-upsChiefs: Sephekolo-Motlhabankwe, Mpoeleng Mpoeleng, Chaka (Othusitse Pilane 58), Thabiso Khunwane-Elvis Meleka (Elijah Montsho 78), Lesego Galenamotlhale, Dirang, Pontsho, Moyana (Godfrey Ngele 90)-KekaetsweRollers: Dambe-Olerile, Ncenga, Ramaabya, Simisani Mathumo-Lawrence Majawa, Phenyo Molefe (Powell Abednico 90), Ntesang Simanyana, Amos Godirwang, Koko-Onalethata TshekisoCautions: Ncenga 60, Motlhabankwe 62, Molefe 69