The team eased off the pressure as they moved three points from the relegation zone following a 2-2 draw against Morupule Wanderers in a closely contested match played at the GU Stadium on Sunday afternoon. With Union Flamengo Santos already confirmed as casualties, two other relegation spots remain with three games to play and BDF XI head coach, Nelson Setshwane is worried about the Orange FA Cup. The cup competition is to be played this weekend, meaning there is going to be a 10-day break between the league games.
Speaking to journalists after the game, Setshwane said the team needs no weekend offs and expressed worry over the FA Cup break. “(The break) it is killing me. If off weekend comes would we as a team also take a weekend off, can we enjoy the weekend? No we cannot. Even the players understand that we may have to train on Saturday and play a friendly (game) on Sunday,” said Setshwane. The Carmo Boys were ahead in the third minute when Ronnie Kwarare headed in Banele Ndzabandzaba’s corner kick. The team came closer on the 27th minute as Katlego Mbise had to deal with an attempt from Ndzabandzaba before saving Tshephang Kelebogile’s attempt from close range. The visitors, however, managed to claw back into the game via a superbly taken freekick by Tsholofelo Speakson on the 38th minute.
The two teams were tied at 1-1 at recess. It looked tighter at the start of the second half with neither side looking to open up. The two sides had to look to the bench as they chased maximum points on the afternoon. Substitutes combined as Obonwe Maome laid a pass for Bonang Theetso who beat the keeper to the far bottom corner to give Morupule the lead on the 73rd minute. Two minutes to full time, Oratile Taunyane from the bench was allowed space and he made it 2-2 with a brilliantly taken goal. The home side could have wrapped it up but Tinashe Mazambani, with only the keeper to beat, shot wide with the last kick of the game as the two teams shared the spoils.
The teams:
BDF: Kagiso Matlou, Pelontle Lerole, Ronald Setshego, Onkabetse Seforo, Ronnie Kwarare, Banele Ndzabandzaba, Godiraone Modingwana (Rentse Keakabetse), Poloko Nkalolang, Tshephang Kelebogile (Oratile Taunyane), Tinashe Mazambani, Thapelo Babedi (Onkemetse Powe)
Morupule: Katlego Mbise, Priest Tantabe, Maungo Tsimele, Lawrence Radikgageng, Tshepang Boithatelo. Baboloki Makhura, Michael Pillar, Kelvin Ndebele, Kitso Mpuisang (Bonang Theetso), Julius Linkontsane (Gaone Japane), Tsholofelo Speakson (Obonwe Maome)
Cautions: Pillar, Ndzabandzaba
BDF 2 (Kwarare third, Morupule 2 (Speakson 38th, Theetso 73rd)
