28 Nov 2016

Motlakase Power Dynamos climbed top of the log of Debswana First Division North on Saturday after defeating Morupule Wanderers 1-0.
The quest for log leadership ensued in a hotly contested Palapye derby, as Motlakase aka Chouka emerged victorious through Katlego Ralegoreng’s header in the 90th minute to give the former premier league side  maximum points.
Ralegoreng scored the only goal during the clash in the last minute of the encounter as Morupule aka Bafana ba Magala struggled to contain the attacking trio of Thapelo Chabalala, Itumeleng Mabuaaeme and Ralegoreng in the dying minutes of the game.
Although the goal came after a much prolonged stalemate, with a balanced ball possession, it was the switch in formations that secured victory for Chouka as they moved to a more compact 4-5-1 from the traditional 4-4-2.
Morupule flowed with 3-4-3 which gave them control of the pitch for much of the game until Chouka shifted formation bringing numbers into the midfield taking Chabalala as a lone striker while Mabuaaeme and Ralegoreng spread and advanced attacks on the wings.
In what was more of football geometry, Chouka’s deadly talisman, Chabalala received a long pass from attacking midfielder Kemiso Silas in the right wing and immediately spotted Ralegoreng advancing quickly from the center into the box.
Chabalala immediately squared a perfect cross into Morupule’s box to be met by the winger-come-attacking midfielder Ralegoreng’s head and the ball went straight into the net, much to ululations of the fans.
The change in formation allowed Chouka to deploy the duo of Omphemetse Bolofete and Thabo Wetshoemeng as double anchormen to counter the advances of Morupule’s Thato Kgate.
Kgate’s tactical awareness throughout the game was spot on, but his slow pace led to a reduced conversion rate.
His deployment in the midfield alongside team captain Percy More ensured the fixture did not become a one-sided affair.
More of box-to-box advances, Percy’s quick runs were a marvel to watch throughout the game as he mounted pressure and contained Chouka’s deployments in the midfield.
Bafana ba Magala had overpowered their opponents in the wings during the entire first half, but wasted a lot of chances in front of goal and was punished by Chouka’s Ralegoreng.
Morupule still remains third from the bottom with five points in eight games. The arch rivals were meeting for the first time in an official competitive game.
The win made Chouka log leaders with 19 points, while rivals to the throne, the Francistown based side Tafic moved second on goal difference. Machimenyenga walloped BR Highlanders to move second in the log standing with 19 points.
Morupule mentor, Major David Bright acknowledged that lack of conversion costed his camp the desperately needed 3 points.
“We had chances and failed to utilise them.
We missed a lot of clear chances,” he said.
The former Cape Town Santos coach explained that despite the loss, there was an improvement in his team’s performance stating that he was building a team for the future.
Chouka head coach, Agang Mogotsi praised his players for their fighting spirit.
“We struggled with shape but we managed at the end of the game. Morupule is a good side and they played well,” he said. ENDS