16 Sep 2014

Modipane United football club came from behind to steal a draw from Sharps Electrical in the dying minutes of the game through a controversial goal during a Debswana First Division encounter played in Modipane on September 14.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 65 minute through striker Bonolo Majoni, from a well taken shot inside the penalty box, before left back Kabo Maxala leveled matters for the home team with a goal that sparked controversy.

Sharps Electrical defenders attempted to clear the ball which fell into Maxala’s path and the defender did not waste time unleashing a shot that sliced past the goalkeeper before Luke Moseki attempted to clear it.

This caused controversy as the visiting team felt the whole circumference of the ball had not crossed the goal line as Moseki cleared it. However, the game had started off with pace as the home team wanted to unsettle the visitors with an early goal.

The first 15 minutes saw numerous chances going the way of Modipane United but good goalkeeping saved them while others were ballooned well over the crossbar.

Onalenna Malatsi, for Modipane United, had a long range shot in the eighth minute saved by the keeper before Thato Tumagole’s shot went wide of Richard Musheke’s goal posts.

Modipane United continued to attack but nothing came of it as Musheke commanded his defence well to thwart their attacks. Sharps Electrical absorbed the pressure and used counter attacks to try and get a goal but they were stopped before they could get close to the keeper resulting in shots from outside the box.

In the 20th minute, Sharps had a good chance to score but Otsile Tlhobogang chose to shoot from outside the box while their striker Tebogo Benjamin was waiting for a pass inside the penalty area.

Later on Modipane won a free kick outside the box on the right which Karabo Segotlong curled well into the box where the tall Sharps defenders cleared.

Both teams continued to attack each other with Sharps now settling well into the game and winning more possession in the middle of the park.

Minutes before half time Sharps Electrical had the best chance of the game when Tlhobogang supplied Ofentse Chitutu with a killer pass, with defenders beaten, he chose to lob the ball over the advancing Gaotlhobogwe Podile but the ball beat the keeper and the goal. The game went to recess goalless.

The second half saw Sharps Electrical continuing to win most balls especially aerial ones as both teams went searching for a goal. Teams continued to attack each other left, right and centre until the 65th minute when Sharps were rewarded through Majoni.

The hosts continued to pile pressure on the visitors and they were rewarded when Maxala scored in the dying minutes of the game.
Modipane United coach Collen Mokganelwa said he was happy with the result more especially that they lost their first game against Killer Giants.

“I think we will build from this game going forward because as compared to the Killer Giants game, here we could make a few passes but kept on blowing away chances. We will have to go back to the drawing boards and work on our finishing,” said Mokganelwa.

Sharps Electrical Coach Lovemore Sello said lack of concentration by his players let the hosts equalise. He said he was impressed by his team’s performance especially the ability to hold the ball and frustrate Modipane United.

“From where I was standing that was not a goal as the ball had been cleared by the defender but when it’s not your day there is nothing you can do. The referee’s decision is always right,” added Sello. Ends