06 Mar 2016

Mochudi Centres Chiefs red-hot midfelder, Tendai Nyumasi continued his rich vein of form in front of goals, with his solitary strike sinking Orapa United in the beMOBLE Premiership game at the Molepolole Sports Complex on Friday night.

In a game that started an hour late due to power failure, Nyumasi ensured maximum points for his team and breathed hope into the chance of them retaining the premiership.

Nyumasi has so far scored in each of the last four games for his team, and his mentor, Mike Sithole said the game has increased their hope of retaining the championship.

“I have always said that the league is a marathon and we have never lost hope of retaining the cup. 

Today’s result just sparks our chances. Remember last season we were at some point about eleven points behind Rollers and we went on to win the league. We still believe we can do it again this season,” he said.

Sithole said unavailability of some of his players forced him to shuffle around with what he had, but said he was confident with the play of his team considering the magnitude of the tie.

Even though they missed a number of chances upfront, Sithole said that does not bother him much. “Creating and missing chances is part of football, and what matters is the end result,” he said.

On the other end, Orapa United coach, Madinda Ndlovu seemed to be more concerned with a goal they were earlier denied for an offside and what he deemed failure to protect his players and officials than the goal they conceded.

“When you create chances you should convert them into goals, but when you do that and the goals are disallowed, why should you even try to score,” he responded on his lack of sufficient fire power upfront.

On whether they still fancy their chances of winning the league, Ndlovu did not rule that out, saying the fact that the loss was just their second of the premiership indicated that they are serious contenders to the trophy.

In the second half, Chiefs supporters cheered to the sight of Ndlovu pulling out the seemingly troublesome Lemogang Maswena, and Ndlovu defended his decision that he wanted to add speed.

He also indicated the the absence of towering winger, Mandla Sibanda, who is still awaiting his work permit affected them a lot.

The game was seemingly headed for a stalemate until the 78th minute when Nyumasi got a slight flick with his head to a Lemponye Tshireletso throw in on the left wing. The ball beat Mosimanegape Robert in the Ostriches goalposts at the far post to the jubilation of the Chiefs supporters.The solitary goal ensured maximum points for the defending champions. Ends