05 Oct 2014

Though his side has been posting a string of poor results since the beginning of the league, BR Highlanders caretaker coach, Tebogo Mokute is optimistic that his side will start picking up points despite conceding pressure of inheriting a struggling side.

Speaking in a post-match interview where his side was defeated by marauding yet wasteful BDF XI by 3-1 in Serowe on October 4, Mokute who filled in the void left by dismissed Paul Moyo, opined that it was too early to succumb to defeat more especially that his team had played just eight games. 

“Obviously there is pressure but we cannot give up this early,” said Mokute and added that BR Highlanders could still survive in the top flight football.

Notwithstanding their defeat to the obstinate BDF XI alas Matebele, caretaker coach Mokute was fairly impressed by his charges especially in the first half of the game where they dominated proceedings and ultimately found an opening goal through Lucky Vundla.

But, their celebrations were short-lived after Matebele’s marksman Phomolo Keimetswe headed home an equalizer a few minutes before half time.  Keimetswe’s goal opened floodgates for BR Highlanders with renowned talisman and former Nico United striker Master Masitara launching the onslaught on the home side. 

A few minutes into the second stanza Masitara headed home from close range after winger Pelontle Lerole weaved in a stunner cross. Highlanders were lucky to escape unscathed a few minutes after Masitara’s goal when Lesego Lubinda headed wide from what appeared like an easy chance. 

Matebele created an avalanche of goalscoring chances which could have seen the Mahalapye based outfit leave Serowe Sports Complex an embarrassed lot but courtesy of Masitara and company’s wastefulness in front of goals spared BR Highlanders some blushes.

Nonetheless, the Zimbabwean hitman, Masitara made amends and grabbed a brace following a string of defence splitting passes engineered by the dribbling Lubinda. 

Lubinda received from the centre line and charged at defenders before setting up hard running Mokgathi Mokgathi who then released Masitara to pull a trigger in the face of BR Highlanders’ Kabo Ntswaneng.

Despite falling on the losing side Ntswaneng ensured his team lost with a respectable margin, pulling some brilliant and brave saves especially in the first half against Masitara. 

However, the showstopper failed to deal with high crosses that saw BDF XI convert only two.

Majority of the crosses were engineered from the right flank where the no-nonsense Moreetsi Mosimanya and Lerole had a field day at the expense of BR opponents. 

Matebele enjoyed dominance in the battleground where BR, as home side, was expected to hide coordinates and stifle the visitors for ball possession in the middle of the park. 

However, Matebele midfielder Bonolo Phuduhudu and his battalion staged a surprise ambush and had BR fight with backs against the wall. Ends