16 Jan 2017

Mochudi Centre Chiefs walloped Nico United 2-1 in a BTC Premiership encounter at Selebi Phikwe stadium on January 14.
All the goals were scored in the first half of the game which was attended by magnitude of football lovers from Selebi Phikwe who had been eagerly waiting for a live show peace at the town's stadium after the festive season.

Nico was the first to score just a few minutes into the first half through Lovemore Bogatsu.
However, as the encounter continued Magosi came from behind and equalised through striker Jerome Ramatlhakwane to make it 1-1.

After JJ's goal, Nico put pressure on the visitors trying to score another goal until Centre Chiefs goal keeper Noah Maposa committed a foul in his goal box area against Nico's  Gift Moyo. A penalty was awarded to the Selebi Phikwe side.

Moyo took the penalty but to much disappointment he let his side down and failed to score to give his side a 2-1 lead. Moyo hit a straight hard shot to his left side towards the goal only to find Maposa who was focused with his eyes pitched on ball ready and brilliantly saved the ball.

The match continued with Magosi mounting pressure on Nico.  

Magosi's Senatla Molefhe drew the ball closer to Nico's goal area where the Selebi Phikwe side goal keeper Otsile Ben tried to defend his turf but ended up committing a foul against the Centre Chiefs player.

A penalty was awarded to Magosi where striker Ramatlhakwane who took the shot did not make a mistake and sent Ben the opposite direction while neatly tucking the ball behind the net to make 2-1 for Magosi.

Both teams went for half time with the team from Kgatleng leading.

However in the second half, just about 10 minutes into the game Mochudi Centre Chiefs penetrated Nico's defence and entered the eighteenth area where Ramatlhakwane who received the ball in the area hit a U-turn and booted a stiff shot towards the net.

However what could have been a goal and hat-trick for Ramatlhakwane was not allowed by the referee because he was considered to be offside.

The game went on with Magosi mounting pressure on Nico where they missed a couple of shots to score.

Nico also retaliated with a few shots at goal but their effort was not enough.

The game ended with Magosi leading Nico 2-1.

In an interview Majombolo's coach Dean Mwiinde indicated that his boys tried and did well despite the loss.

He said he was looking for at least a draw but his boys failed to utilise chances to convert to goals.

He also said that his team missed a penalty which somehow had a negative psychological impact on the boys’ determination in the game.

He also said his boys’ performance was not up to par because they were unfit due lack of training since they just came back from the festive season break

For his part Magosi's coach Bongani Mafu said he was happy with the outcome of the game since they collected three points from Nico. However, he mentioned that Nico gave them a tough time.

He said the Selebi Phikwe side is not an easy team to beat.

He added that his boy had a couple of chances to increase the score line gap but failed to convert the many chances they had.

In the meantime, Mochudi Centre Chiefs will be facing BDF XI next weekend while Nico will be locking horns with Miscellaneous from Serowe at Selebi Phikwe stadium on Saturday. BOPA