20 Nov 2016

After defeating Francistown based Tafic 5-3 at the old Francistown Stadium on November 5, Maun Tigers on Saturday learned the hard way when Francistown’s Ecco City Greens humbled them with a convincing 2-0 defeat on the on-going Debswana Northern Division encounter.

Mamoja Diski, as Ecco City Greens is famously known went into the game with two consecutive losses and drew 2-2 on their last game against Chobe United.

On the other hand Maun Tigers last game against Motlakase did not go well as they drew the game 0-0. Despite unsatisfactory results going into Saturday’s game, both teams showed hunger for an early goal but with Greens dominating on early attacks from the middle of the park.

The sensational Tigers striker, Onanofile Setsiba, who had scored four goals when they trounced Tafic, had a quite night with the Ecco defence denying him any opportunities at goals.

Every one of his attempts was easily crushed by Greens’ solid defence led by Moses Maphondo.

As early at the 4th minutes, Mamoja Diski made their intentions to score very clear when their attacking midfielder, Bangwe Modongo, on breakthrough hit a wide shot attempt at goal.

With the host team attacking at every angle, Ngambera as Maun Tigers is affectionately known started to lose pace and concentration with many of their players now pushing backward to defend.

The host proved to be better at shots on target with many of their shots missing the net by inches.

On the 25th minutes, a brilliant corner kick from Greens’ Katlego Maiketso who found an on-target Cosmos Sebona who hit a brilliant header that nearly sent Maun Tigers supporters into heart attack. The ball was however parried easily to safety by Tigers goalkeeper, Evans Kiriyoni.

Going towards the end of the first half, Greens became more wasteful with good crosses coming in from Bonkganne Matlhare on the left flank of the pitch. They displayed lack of urgency going into their opponents goal posts.

On the 35th minutes, Greens’s hardwork paid off when Leonard Kanlodi, receiving a good pass from Meshack Mahamba slotted in the first goal of the game to give ecco a 1-0 lead.

From there on the game became a one-sided affair with Ecco doing all of the attacking and Maun Tigers doing all of the defending.

The game went to recess with Greens leading their Tigers opponent 1-0. The second half started at low tempo with none of the two team showing aggression at early goal attempts.

Sensing urgency, Tigers mentor, Lolo Mosojane made early substitution on the 5th minutes of the second half to bolster his attacks.

He pulled out Welcome Patrick and Seloka Nchinano for the duo of Kesaobaka  Dikole and Kefemetse Sakasongo.

His substitutions did not impact changes to his style of play as their opponent kept attacking them on every angle now.

On the 62nd minutes, Greens coach, Texan Phiri pulled out Bangwe Modongo and Katlego Maiketso for Bakang Malabola and Thabo Ngada. His two subs ensured Ecco attacked effectively and still defended well.

On the 80th minutes, luck knocked at Tigers doorsteps in the form of a penalty award against Greens but was wasted by Meshack Mahamba who shot it into Greens’ goalkeeper, Boitumelo Sematla who brilliantly saved it. Sematla, in between a fracas for the ball in his post, on the dying minutes of the game got injured and was immediately replaced by goalkeeper, Tumelo Morupisi.

The last nail on Tigers coffin came on the 88th minutes through Victor Puoeng who scored the second goal through a brilliant header coming in  from a corner kick to give Greens a convincing 2-0 lead at fulltime. ENDS