Good Start

By Chippa Legodimo
Correspondent | Monday July 7, 2008 00:00

 

The army outfit narrowly beat Prisons 1-0 at the National Stadium on Friday night before overcoming Miscellaneous 2-1 in Lobatse on Saturday. Mokgathi Mokgathi took advantage of the Miscellaneous' early stage fright and poor defending to put Matebele ahead with a well-taken goal in the 24th minute. 

The former TASC forward exploited a perfect cross from Nelson 'Viola' Gabolwelwe just behind the defence and hit a first time shot before his markers knew what was happening. Before the goal, the Serowe minnows nearly punished BDF XI in the 18th minute when Donald Thobega's mistake on the edge of the box presented Godfrey Kebifetswe with a clear-cut chance, which he failed to convert. 

Miscellaneous started the game slowly providing and seemed overawed by their fancy opponents. Only striker Innocent Siku looked unfazed as he constantly troubled the BDF XI defence. BDF captain Mompoloki Mogofu led by example in the middle of the pack with his aggression and neat passing.

He combined well with Patrick Motsepe to get BDF XI going. After the break BDF XI coach Stanley Tshosane introduced Mosalagae Gaborone and Oliver Kayombo and the move paid off. The pair kept their opponents in a tight corner.   With Gaborone in charge of the engine room, Gabolwelwe started making more trips to the opponents' penalty area. Seven minutes after restart, Gabolwelwe sent a telling cross to Kayombo but he found goalkeeper Letlhogonolo Samson well placed to avert danger.

Once again, the defence deserted the agile young goalkeeper who made several saves in the first half to deny BDF XI. Gabolwelwe capped a good performance with a good goal after a defensive mix-up. He was replaced later in the second half.

In the 62nd minute, Miscellaneous were awarded a penalty after Seboloko Khutsafalo brought down Jeremiah Ranthotwane in the box as the Serowe side started getting into the match. Defender Jomo Mgadla stepped up to score a beautiful spot kick.  The goal brought back life into the Miscellaneous game as they started piling pressure on BDF XI with Siku leading the onslaught. The agile striker sometimes reduced international defender Mompati Thuma to a beginner.

There are high chances that Siku and outstanding midfielders Kgololo Tshimololo and Kebifetswe might not stay long at the club. Twice the striker found the back of the net in what should have been the equaliser or the winner but referee Uyapo Julius disallowed his efforts for off-side. The decisions enraged coach Teenage Mpote, who was sent-off for protesting.

An even uglier scenario unfolded after the final whistle when the Miscellaneous players and officials charged at the match officials.  

The play-offs come to an end this weekend with the winner getting the final slot in the 16-club Premier League. BDF XI was relegated to the play-offs after finishing 14th in the Premier League, while Miscellaneous and Prisons XI qualified for the games by virtue of being runners-up in the First Division North and First Division South respectively.