21 Mar 2016

The Francistown Old Stadium on Sunday hosted the city’s giants’ in the Debswana First Division North, an encounter between Ecco City Greens and Great North Tigers (GNT) in which Ecco City collected three points in the mouth-watering meet.

Ecco City collected the points to remain second in the log with only two points behind log leaders, Mahalapye Hotspurs and GNT in the bottom half of the log remained in the seventh position. 

Kick off started with the two rivals aiming for an early lead taking long range shots in the first minutes of the game. Ecco City’s winger, Innocent Selebogo aggrandised his side with skilful moves that had found GNT’s defence slumbering making countless in the GNT‘s 18 yard area. The GNT defence remained solid being able to stop the fast winger, Mothibe Tichana, GNT’s captain led the team well taking chances and clearing the ball out of the box. 

GNT levelled the match to 50/50 counter playing the marauding Ecco City.  Ecco City striker Pontsho Sephotho stormed the GNT side with agility keeping the defence on its toes. 

Kealeboga Kobona, GNT goalkeeper, made a brilliant safe from a set piece outside the 18 yard area which could have given Ecco the lead. Nonetheless Ecco’s Selebogo smashed a craker shot which found goalkeeper in a good position.  In the 35^th minute Onkemetse Powe of Ecco City scored a beautiful header from a delivery in the middle of the park. 

With only one score separating the two, GNT had not backed out as they came guns blazing trying to equalise. 

GNT’s Mathogonolo Kgobolo made good runs in Ecco City’s box taking chances but none found the back of the net. With just a few minutes before half-time GNT created more chances outplaying its rivals. 

Referee Mooketsi Mbekwa called for half time the scores still at 1-0.

GNT came back into the game seeking an equaliser and outplaying Ecco City in the first minutes of the second half. 

The lead by Ecco had not overwhelmed GNT’s players as all of them showed hunger for that one goal that will get them back on their feet. 

Ecco City Greens absorbed the pressure, slowed down the game since the rivals had increased the pace of the match. 

The technicalities had worked for Ecco’s side as Batshwerwe Olebeng was given a yellow card for dangerous play outside the box awarding a free kick to Ecco. 

Malepa Bolelang smashed the free kick on target, but Kobona was in good position to counter it.

Substitution had introduced Ecco’s Katlego Maiketso who came into the game goal hungry making countless moves in the right flank. 

GNT had remained solid giving Ecco City a hard time to find the back of the net.  

In the 65^th minute Sephotho further the lead from a shot outside the 18yard area. Minutes after the Ecco City goal GNT’s Tumelo Moleele smashed the ball from a delivery on the side of the box.

Only 10 minutes had passed when Ecco’s Bolelang dangerously tackled Aobakwe Mopaki outside the box. 

The free kick headed over the goal post being the last chance GNT had to equalize. GNT created more chances till the referee called it full time in the 90^th minute with a 2-1 score.  ENDS