08 Feb 2016

In the game of football, the second round of fixtures is usually the toughest as every team want to amass as much points as they can either to win the competition or avoid relegation.

For a long time Lesirane City has been struggling to beat Modipane United, but on Saturday their prayers were answered as at last they triumphed over their rivals beating them 2-1 in their home ground.

Even though Modipane were the first to score in the 14th minute, through their captain Thabani Ngwenya who whisked the ball past Lesirane goalkeeper after his defence failed to clear the ball to safety.

After the goal, the pace of the game started to increase as Lesirane City wanted to equalise while at the same time Modipane wanted to increase their goal tally.

In the 20th minute, Modipane captain missed yet another chance which could have seen them make it two nil, but the ball just went over the bar by inches.
Even though Modipane had an upper hand in ball possession compared to their opponents, Lesirane mounted pressure on them and their defence brought one of their strikers down in the box leading to referee awarding a penalty which Mmoloki Kebalepile scored to make it all one.

It was a turning point for Lesirane as they began to find each other and connect thought they missed a lot of chances, their attempts were answered in the 33rd minute when their middle fielder Collins Gatsha scored to take the lead after an erroneous mistake by Modipane defence.

From recess, it seems Modipane Coach Fani Mathibe energised the team to do all they can to win the game and the second half belonged to United as they knocked time and again at Lesirane goal posts but a pat in the back has to be given to their goalkeeper who saved the team on the day making numerous saves to deny United any chance to score.

Modipane will live to regret the many chances they did not utilise to earn the necessary three points needed at this point to improve their log standings

Coach Mathibe was a frustrated man more so that the game was on a silver platter after so many missed opportunities that could have buried their opponents.
In a post-match interview, he said since his team has been playing in the First Division South league for some time, it is expected to play much better to earn a promotion to the elite league.

Mathibe said he was playing with young players and he is building a strong team urging his team to take instructions well.
He further said chances that you miss in a game will never come back to you again, adding that he believes his team will improve with every game that comes as they have the potential to win.

Lesirane City coach Shima Mogorosi said even though his team won, they still have to work on their stamina as his players are struggling to keep up the pace especially in the second half of the game.
He said they have to work a lot to build up strength in the defence and striking force and that will be enough to take his team far.
He applauded his players for being able to absorb pressure from United who did not give them enough chance to counter attack nevertheless he was happy that they collected three points which they need so much. Ends