31 May 2015

Moathodi Ralesotla emerged an instant hero on Saturday (May 30) as his two goals assured Green Lovers a place in the premier league next season.

Green Lovers garnered an aggregate of 3-2 during their second round premier league promotional playoffs encounter against Mogoditshane Fighters in Serowe.

On one hand, Ralesotla’s second half goals were an agony to the visiting Mogoditshane Fighters, their fans and patrons because he snatched away their last hope of playing in the top league next season.

Fighters would not easily forget the pain the 24-year-old lad put them through as he scored the only goal of the first round and went on to score a brace in the second leg, gaining his team a 3-2 aggregate. Certainly what could pain The Brazilians most could be that in the return leg, they went to recess in the driving seat with a two-goal lead, but after half time Ralesotla turned the tables around.

The first goal of the game was converted by Fighters left winger, Daniel Mogapi less than a minute in the first half and the second was scored by Kago Kopelo.

In the second half when the game seemed beyond Serowe side’s reach, Ralesotla met a rebound in the box and did not make any mistake as he pulled one back 21 minutes into the second stanza.

His goal did not only trigger the cheerful celebrations from Green lovers that muted the Brazilians supporters choir, it also forced the Fighters camp to sacrifice their strikers for defenders, as they pulled out Gaofenngwe Khubalo (striker) and introduced Ishmael Netty (defender).

Their first goal scorer, Mogapi also paved way for Ofana Motsumi. Towards the end of the game, Ralesotla defied the Mogoditshane side defensive plan as he connected well with a well taken corner kick and made a beautiful header into the net, thereby guaranteeing his team a place in the elite league.

In a post-match interview, Ralesotla  said, “I consider Green Lovers my home because I was groomed within it and I have spent almost all my football career in the team except for a short stint at Miscellaneous".

Coach Onthusitse Kootswele said they were ready for the new life. “We are not under pressure, we will enjoy football.” Ends