14 Sep 2015

Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ Kekaetswe ‘Mara’ Moloi’s goal in the dying minutes denied Gaborone United a much needed win as the two giants shared spoils in a beMOBILE premiership contest at the National Stadium on Saturday (September 12) night.

The Reds seemed headed for a famous win over defending champions, as they led through a Benson Shilongo goal only for Mara to equalise with just two minutes to spare.

Magosi might not be pleased with their start to the season but to their credit they have shown resolve, grit and determination in grinding out results, with their previous game against FC Satmos last Wednesday having been won by a last minute goal.

On Saturday (September 12), GU and Chiefs showed intent in the first half, attacking each other with pace but could not find the right composure in the final third.

Alphonse Modisaotsile and Ntesang ‘Mirror’ Simanyana showed some deft touches in the GU midfield but a compact Centre Chiefs, whose three-man midfield was made up of Lesego Galenamotlhale, Tendai Nyumasi and Dirang Moloi, made it difficult for the Reds to link with their attackers, Shilongo and Hendrick Moyo.

After GU managed to carve out an opening, they found Raphael Nthwane solid in his goal. The Magosi goal minder managed to save a solid Shilongo first half strike.  Not to be outdone, Nthwane’s opposite number, Goitseone Phoko, saved from a close range Mara shot in the 25^th minute.

The Moloi brothers, Dirang and Pontsho, were not visible on a night Magosi struggled to settle into their normal passing rhythm. With Chiefs midfield not able to link with their attackers with their normal slow, patient one-touch moves, Magosi were forced to employ tactical variation, attempting long-range shots.

Only Nyumasi came close to being effective in that regard.His 55^th minute grass cutter from outside the box went just wide, while his 61^st minute shot, also from outside the GU penalty box parried over for a corner by Phoko.

It would take a moment of inspiration to break the deadlock, like a master chess player moving his pawn, Simanyana released a defence splitting pass, which reached Moyo, who passed the ball to Shilongo who scored GU’s opener in the 67^th minute.

In the 72^nd minute, Simanyana released another breathtaking pass to Moyo who was making a good run but was adjudged to be offside. Moyagoleele appeared to be doing well enough at the back. 

Gaopatwe ‘Shoes’ Seosenyeng and Thabiso Khunwane were marshaling the central defence with composure, while full backs Osego Wellie Gaotewe and Katlego ‘Sissoko’ Keobake were highly impressive on the night for GU.

Thus, many believed the Reds were well on their way to their second win of the season. Enter Mara, the ultimate goal-poaching predator, scoring from close range in the 88^th minute to level the score at 1-1. Chiefs now have 11 points from six outings, three wins, two draws and one loss, while GU have five points from five games, one win, two draws and two losses.  

In other games played in Serowe, BR Highlanders and Nico United played to a goalless draw on Saturday (September 12). 

On Friday (September 11), Miscellaneous continued their unbeaten run and managed to hold visiting Extension Gunners to a goalless draw. Ends