Chiefs advance to Coke semi-finals

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Monday June 25, 2012 00:00

The much anticipated Coca-Cola Cup quarterfinals  match between Mochudi Centre Chiefs and ECCO City Greens lived up to expectation, producing a total of five goals. Chiefs emerged 3-2 winners and advanced to the semi- finals of the competition.

Following their 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Mascom Top 8 the previous weekend, both sides came in to Saturday's match in the mood to score goals. Chiefs came back twice to equalise and scored a winner late in the second half.

Chiefs were boosted by the return of Zimbabwean defender, Arnold Chaka who partnered Thabiso Khunwane at the heart of the defence. His return relegated Michael Mogaladi to the bench.  Mogaladi came on in the 36th minute, replacing Elijah Montsho who had made a rare start in the midfield. Dirang Moloi also made a start ahead of Lesego Galenamotlhale.

ECCO were the first to hit the back of the net through Patrick Lenyeletse who easily slotted the ball past Chiefs goalkeeper, Mompoloki Sephekolo following a defensive error by Chiefs after just three minutes in to kickoff.

Chiefs nearly responded two minutes later, but Kekaetswe Moloi's striker hit the upright and ECCO goalkeeper, Chamunorwa Madamombe parried the rebound away from the danger. Moloi equalised in the eighth minute with a powerful strike. The windy conditions made it difficult for the two sides to connect passes together, but it was ECCO who struggled to make long clearances with the wind going in the defensive area in the first half.

Chiefs on the other hand looked shaky defensively.  In the 25th minute, ECCO launched an attack and Tendai Nyumasi received a ball in the 18th area and made it 2-1 to ECCO. However, Mogorosi leveled matters with a powerful header to put chiefs in contention.  The two sides went into half time recess tied at 2-2.  Chiefs dominated the  second half, but missed several clear-cut chances. The introduction of Galabgwe Moyana for Pontsho Moloi  pushed Chiefs more upfront. The talented left footed winger went on to score the winning goal for his side with a cracking shot in the 84th minute. ECCO had on several occasions tried to clear the ball, but Moyana finally received the ball in the tight angle and struck it past ECCO goalkeeper. Five minutes later, Galabgwe hit the upright. The two sides are yet to meet again in the second of the Mascom Top 8.

The line ups:

Chiefs: Sephekolo, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Mpoeleng Mpoeleng, Khunwane, Chaka, Elvis Meleka, Elijah Montsho (Mogaladi 36), Dirang Moloi, Pontsho Moloi (Galabgwe Moyana 60), Joel Mogorosi, Kekaetswe Moloi

ECCO: Madamombe, Trinity Nko, Ontse Ntesa, keabetswe Jenamiso, Vincent Radisoeng, Zecco Makafiri, Nyumasi, Gaotwesepe Legoreng (Mmoloki Kafuko 56), Lesego Tafa, Gosaitse Manuel (Malepa Bolelang 56), LenyeletseCautions: Pontsho Moloi, Keabetswe Jenamiso, Khunwane, Dirang Moloi, MelekaReferee: Uyapo Julius