07 Feb 2016

BDF XI had a field day on Saturday at the Molepolole Sports Complex as they humiliated relegation threatened Motlakase Power Dynamos 7-1.

In the eight goal thriller, Abie Ramodiane and Keeagile Kobe got a brace each while Khumbulani Madziba, Patrick Kaunda and Phenyo Mongala also registered themselves on the  score sheet.

In a post-match interview, Matebele coach, Beston Chambeshi could not hide his smile at the unexpected windfall which keeps his team in touch with the top three. 

Even though he did not want to admit that they have a chance at challenging for the league honours, Chambeshi hinted that he is still optimistic.

“We will have to win each and every game that we play, and at the end it is then that we can see if we won the league or not. From now on our focus is on taking each game as it comes,” he said.

Chambeshi also attributed the win to thorough planning, saying his players indicated that they can compete against any team in the league on a good day.

And while in was a good day for Chambeshi, the scoreline left Motlakase new gaffer, Oris ‘Boyo’ Radipotsane speechless and gave him a terrible first day at the office.

He, however, said the problems they face as a team are more administrative and cannot be solved in the field of play.

“We will have to sit down with management very soon to iron out these issues. The only problem I can discuss with you at the moment is that I am using youngsters who are mostly in their early 20s, and youngsters have a tendency of easily panicking, especially after conceding a goal,” he said.

With only nine games left in the league, Radipotsane is however, confident that he will steer Chouka Chouka out of the relegation zone.

Throughout the game, Motlakase defence proved no match to the Matebele frontline, showing signs of leakage as early as the 15^th minute when they allowed the towering Madziba to sneak between two defenders and hit home after a long cross into the box from Kaunda on the right wing.

Two minutes later, Ramodiane slotted home the second for Matebele after Motlakase defence reacted slow to a cross, and with the scoreline at 2-0, Motlakase was dealt a blow when their first choice shot-stopper, Segakolodi Ntima had to be ferried off the field with an injury.

He was replaced by Siamang Kgosipula who seemed to lack confidence. 

Kgosipula conceded his first goal 12 minutes later when Kaunda slotted past him after a pass from Madziba.

Kgosipula further exposed himself when he spilt a somewhat harmless cross at the feet of Kobe, who slotted into the open net to ensure a healthy 4-0 lead for his team going into the break.

Throughout the first half, Matebele goalkeeper, Ontiretse Gaotlhobogwe was virtually on holiday as he was never tested. 

However, in the opening minutes of the second half, the holiday was interrupted, albeit momentarily when a miscommunication between him and his defender, Othusitse Mpharitlhe gave Motlakase what would later turn to be a consolation goal. Mpharitlhe attempted to chest a cross into the hands of Gaotlhobogwe, but the goalkeeper had already left his goalline to attack the cross, which saw it flying past him into the open net.

However, the goal did not do any damage to Matebele’s healthy lead, and Ramodiane restored the deficit in the 55^th minute to extinguish any hope that Motlakase might have harboured.

In the 68 minute Kobe completed his brace after a pass from Kaunda, and second half substitute, ‘Mzambiya’ Mongala completed the routing in stoppage time to register Matebele’s highest win of the league.

The win solidifies BDF XI’s position on the top four with 39 points while Motlakase is still languishing in the middle of the relegation zone with a paltry 14 points. Ends