12 Sep 2016

A Francistown second division football outfit, Ghetto Rhinos shocked Debswana First Division North (FDN) side ECCO City Greens by knocking them out of the ongoing BOT50 Francistown Independence Cup knock-out stages.

The side, clad in red shirts and black shorts, eliminated ECCO via a 3-1win from a penalty shoot-out.

The two-group tournament will culminate with the finals played on the big day the country celebrates 50 years of self-rule in the second city.

Both sides had wasted numerous scoring chances in the regular 90 minutes with the likes of lanky ECCO striker Victor Pooeng missing several sitters that could have wrapped up the game to their favour very early.

Pooeng was wasteful despite numerous chances in which he had only Rhinos goalkeeper Khashatha Majaga to beat. He could also not link up well with their veteran Nicholas ‘Mambush’ Matlhare throughout the match.

Mamoja Diski, as ECCO are affectionately called, failed to use their superior status to annihilate the less fancied Rhinos, who amazingly played much like a top division side throughout the game.

With some of their stars, such as the Powe brothers, Onkemetse ‘Manando’ and Onkabetse, as well as Lovers Mofokeng missing, the other Texan Phiri boys had a chance to prove themselves as reliable in the stars’ absence.

Phiri and veteran Malepa ‘Chippa’ Bolelang watched from the sidelines as their boys huffed and puffed against the resolute Rhinos.

Rhinos could smell victory in the last minutes of the game as they never gave up and credit must go to their well-built goalie, Majaga who proved to be the tower they needed as the last line of defence.

During the penalty shoot-out, ECCO were the first to miss through Khumoetsile Nyambe, while Laucy Motlhaodi converted to put Rhinos ahead and on the advantage.

ECCO’s Bakang Malabola had his initial spot kick saved by Majaga, only for a retake to be ordered as the larger than life goalie was deemed to have left his line early.

Malabola easily converted the re-taken penalty. However,  ECCO went on to shoot off target through Bangwe Mudongo and Pooeng, while Rhinos had one miss by Arthur Kandjae.

Seepo sent Selebogo a powerful last kick to win the game for Rhinos and sendt heir  players and supporters into wild celebrations at the dusty Sofia grounds at Francistown’s Gerald Estates. ENDS