09 Mar 2015

A heavy thunderstorm in Mogoditshane on Sunday, March 8, forced match officials to stop a be Mobile game between Letlapeng and Mochudi Centre Chiefs at half time.

Botswana Football Association Play Rules and Regulations stipulate that in the event a game was stopped due to rain it had to be replayed all over again, whereas in the case of lighting failure a game would resume from the time it was stopped.

However, it seemed the downpour was a blessing in disguise for Ramotswa based side as it whisked them away from an all-time aggressive Chiefs side which had already scored a goal.

A reply has been scheduled for March 14 in Lobatse at 4 pm. The rescheduling was done in accordance with Rule 8.3.2 of the BFA Play Rules and Regulations which stated that “all records of the abandoned match will be expunged except that any cautions or dismissals that occurred will remain in force”. 

Magosi started the game on a high tempo, enjoying ball possession most of the time, although their good runs were thwarted by Letlapeng defence marshaled by Chikondi Likwemba.

On the 20th minute, ‘The Rock’, as Letlapeng is known in football circles, succumbed to one of Chiefs’ several attacks after one of the ever hard working skipper Pontsho Moloi’s signature crosses found Keaketswe ‘Mara’ Moloi who sailed it into the net with a superb header to make it 1-0 against the hosts.

The goal seemed to have caused confusion on Letlapeng’s defence, as they started to stumble and fail to properly communicate, which nearly cost them another goal at one stage, had Lemponye Tshireletso not shot wide after coming one-on-one with only the goal minder.

Centre Chiefs continued pilling more pressure on Letlapeng, looking for the second goal, but alas, all the golden scoring opportunities were squandered by Mara Moloi, who seemed to lack composure inside the box.

The game went into recess with Magosi leading 1-0; however, little did they know that there would be no second half due to the thunderstorm that interfered from nowhere.

Letlapeng captain Chikondi Likwemba said the putting off of the game would put them in a good position to go and prepare well, while the coach, Matshediso Moseki blamed his players for the lack of ideas on the pitch and for letting Chiefs to play their game with ease.

Chiefs’ gaffer, Michael Sithole complained about fixtures, saying when teams played earlier than others, it caused pressure on players of the subsequent games as they would know that other teams, especially their hot rivals had won.

He said it was unfortunate for their game to have been canceled because the boys were excited to coming back and finishing the game off. ENDS