Nerves cost Matjimenyenga in the opening half of the tie played at the Francistown Sports Complex. It took Popa six minutes to remind TAFIC of the rigours of top-flight football. Segolame Boy posted a long corner kick to the far end and Tshepo Motlhabankwe’s cushioned header found Edwin Moalosi who controlled and drove into the net. In the 10th minute TAFIC had a half chance but Golebaone Baopedi saw his rocket from outside the box finger-tipped out for a corner by Popa’s goalkeeper, Keagile Kgosipula. Joel Mogorosi escaped his markers but was forced to the by-line by the TAFIC keeper, Abednico Morapedi. The winger rolled the ball onto the path of Boy who calmly picked a spot and buried to the far post in the 28th minute. TAFIC’s first half nightmare was summed up by their captain Mooketsi Mampori who skied a half chance from inside the box. Ten minutes into the second half, the home side saw another chance go begging. Kgakgamatso Ramatshosa’s free header in the 16-yard box went inches over the bar. The home side found their groove mid second half and attacked the Popa box with fortitude. Their efforts paid off on the 72nd when Obakeng Gaanabeng pulled the trigger from 20 yards. Substitute Uyapo Thibathuwe rolled a back pass from inside the Popa box and Gaanabeng’s first touch bullet to the top right left Kgosipula hanging.
TAFIC found the groove and nearly equalised in the dying minutes when Elias pounced onto Mosha Gaolaolwe’s poor back pass, but his effort hit the attacking goalkeepers arm before the defender recovered to clear.
