Chikoti made his coaching debut for the team in a tie played at the VTM Arena on Saturday.
It was a moment of pride for the Zambian gaffer as he kicked off his VTM career with a win while Bafana Ba Dijabane got their revenge against Eagles who eliminated them last year in the same round of the competition. Speaking to SportMonitor after the game, Chikoti said a good run in the cup could save his side’s season while warning rivals.
“We will try our level best (despite) being a young team although there are no small teams in the league.
This is a child born with teeth, that is VTM; we are coming up and teams should be very cautious of us,” Chikoti said.
The visitors were the first to have a go at goal when McCartney Naweseb was put on with a through ball but he shot wide off the post as early as the eighth minute. Senatla Molefhe could have made it 1-0 for VTM but he missed the goal with the goalkeeper off his line on the 16th minute. Bogosi Nfila had his shot blocked on the 30th minute for a corner.
From a set piece, Lesego Motlhabankwe benefited from goalkeeping blunder and struck a rebound into the bottom corner to give the hosts the lead. It was 1-0 at the break with the hosts having the better of the chances. The second half started off at a slower pace until the 63rd minute when the goalkeeper parried Naweseb’s shot unto Kutlo Molelowamodimo’s path but the substitute shot over the bar. A minute later on the counter, Nfila beat his marker and aimed for the top far post to make it 2-0 for VTM. Four minutes later, the striker benefited from some poor marking inside the box and struck into the back of the net to make it 3-0 for the hosts. The visitors tried to look for a consolation goal but could not break into the VTM defence as they bowed out in the first round of FA Cup matches for the first time.
The teams
VTM: Lesang Senne, Letsweletse Leririma, Edwin Nthoiwa, Keabetswe Lucas, Kabelo Thari (Bakani Madaiza), Mmoloki Kepalepile, Lesego Motlhabankwe, Wilfred Dithwane (Ontlametse Selebogo), Senatla Molefhe, Bogosi Nfila, Lucky Mokoena (Sfiso Myeni)
Matebele: Karamelo Kgosipula, Kgosietsile Ernest, Utlwang Ramakgathi (Omphile Magale), Obonye Moswate, Osego Lesetedi (Emmanuel Thabe), Alphius Selefho (Kemmy Pilato), Moeteledi Ditshweu (Kutlo Molelowamodimo), Romeo Kasume, McCartney Naweseb, Kemoreng Batisani (Thabo Buela), Thabo Maponda
Cautions: Kasume, Ramakgathi
VTM 3 (Motlhabankwe 31st, Nfila 64th, 68th) Matebele 0
