BMC Taste Coke Glory

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Monday September 3, 2007 00:00

 

The victory gave BMC a whopping P120, 000 and a ticket to the CAF Confederations Cup. Once again it was goalkeeper, Cosmos Lombala who ensured that Ezinkomo were crowned the champions with two heroic saves. The BMC custodian saved from Nkosilathi Dube and substitute Faith Keletso.

The celebrations that followed from BMC supporters were out of the ordinary as they invaded the pitch. It was a case of second time lucky after BMC lost the 1996 final 2-0 by Township Rollers. Though the Lobatse side lifted the cup, it failed to exhibit the classy football it displayed when it overcame Notwane in the semi-finals. Credit has to go to ECCO City who did not give their elder brothers a space. BMC's problems were made worse when veteran midfielder, Modise Motswadi had to be substituted in the first half due to a hamstring injury. This meant that youngster, Bobo Motlhalane was forced to fight with experienced Malepa 'Chippa' Bolelang and Abednico Powell in the middle of the pack.

As has been the case since the Coke Cup kicked off, BMC were let down by poor finishing. The main culprit was Phemelo 'Bunene' Ditsile who wasted several opportunities. He is no longer the composed finisher of a few years ago. His partner, Kenanao 'Flo' Kgetholetsile was a shadow of the player who terrorised defenders during his days with Prisons XI. It was not a surprise when Kgetholetsile missed a crucial penalty.

On Saturday, ECCO striker Bonolo Fraser was outstanding alongside Robert Tamba. The two showed little respect to the BMC defence led by Alex Matshameko. Fraser nearly opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a well-taken shot from outside the box but Lombala was up to the task.  In the 16th minute, Ditsile fumbled at a crucial moment with goalkeeper Michael Onkutule at his mercy.  When least expected, ECCO opened the scoring through Bolelang in the 26th minute. The striker found himself unmarked way outside the box and fired a spectacular shot past a bemused Lombala. The halftime score was 1-0.

After the break, BMC took the fight to their opponents but substitute Steven Chimbokaila failed to find the back of the net in the 49th minute. BMC goalkeeper coach Motswadi Motswadi was dismissed from the bench for dissent. The former BMC goalkeeper earned the wrath of referee Tebogo Ramocha over a penalty and protest. BMC found the equaliser in the 75th minute through Osenogile Seabi who headed home after a cross from the left. The game produced some breath-taking action after the equaliser but both sides failed to find the winner.