At 41, Masitara rolls back the years

Ageless: Master Masitara is still lethal in front of goal. PIC: MOTLAKASE FACEBOOK
Ageless: Master Masitara is still lethal in front of goal. PIC: MOTLAKASE FACEBOOK

FRANCISTOWN: Motlakase forward, Master Masitara rolled back the years to a time when he was young and enterprising with an enthusiastic performance against Calendar Stars in a First Division North clash at Calderon grounds on Saturday.

The sides played to a 2-2 entertaining draw. Journeyman Masitara, re-joined Motlakase two years ago following his release by Premier League side, Morupule Wanderers and he appears to be thriving in the lower division. Deployed in his favourite centre forward role, Masitara gave the Stars defense a torrid time. He could have at least scored three goals had it not been for Tanyaradzwa Jinja who was excellent in goal. Masitara, the former Premier League record top goal scorer, has turned Calderon into a hunting ground. He scored a hat-trick against Calendar at the same facility last year. On Saturday, the Zimbabwean who will be 42-years in April, scored a scintillating goal in the sixth minute to give the visitors an early lead before setting up the second in the 17th minute. In the first goal, Masitara displayed predatory instincts he used to show during his prime era.

He pounced on a loose ball from within the goal area and quickly set himself up before unleashing a powerful shot that gave Jinja no chance. Three minutes later, his header would acrobatically be tipped over the bar by Jinja. He then cleverly set up skipper, Tshepo Baipoledi, for the second after neatly navigating his way past the defenders. Baipoledi scored with a low ground shot after he was given acres of space inside the box. The match was even from the 30th minute until half time although Masitara continued terrorising Stars defenders with his well-timed runs and off the ball movements. The host defenders also struggled to deal with his aerial strength. Stars did find a goal in the 45th minute when former TAFIC forward, Uyapo Thibathuwe scored with a well-executed header after he outjumped his marker. The second half did not disappoint as both sides continued pressing each other although clear opportunities were scarce.

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