22 Oct 2017

20-year-old Molaodi Tlhalefang, playing in his maiden season of top flight football, had a night to remember as his three goals gave Black Forest a 3-1 victory over Mochudi Centre Chiefs.

In a BTC Premiership match played at the National Stadium on October 21, the young striker’s goal scoring exploits inflicted a second successive loss on Chiefs, Magosi were still smarting from a midweek loss to Miscellaneous.

The match started at a high tempo, the two sides cancelling each other out in a packed midfield.

But a Forest move made its way into the Chiefs danger zone in the 11th minute where an alert Tlhalefang calmly collected the ball, and struck past opposing goalkeeper Siamang Kgosipula to make it 1-0 to Magoleng.

Centre Chiefs tried to go forward in search of the equaliser, only to fail to properly connect in the final third and open themselves up for Forest counter attacks, although Magoleng tended to be slow in their transition play.

The second Forest goal was well worked though as Koketso Majafi had possession in the middle of the park, played the ball wide to Magoleng winger Gofaone Mabaya on the right wing who then hit a low cross that an advancing Tlhalefang tapped into the net, making it 2-0 in the 42nd minute.

The Mmankgodi outfit went into the half time break two goals to the good.

The game was brought back to life as a contest just five minutes after the interval when Thato Ogopotse struck past Forest goalkeeper Itumeleng Selapa to make it 2-1 in the 50th minute.

With 40 minutes to spare on the clock it was game on.

But in the absence of the suspended Lesego Galenamotlhala, Magosi looked thin in midfield; they had the numbers in a crowded middle, but apart from Lawrence Majawa sitting in an anchor role, Chiefs lacked the bite in battle.

Just four minutes after the Chiefs goal, Tlhalefang was at it again, becoming the first player this season to get a hat-trick in the BTC Premiership.

Tlhalefang placed the ball over an advancing Kgosipula to make it 3-1 in the 54th minute.

Forest could have had more; Jean Yamzer Stephanus working his socks off in midfield for Magoleng, while Tiro Pheresi was wasteful in attack.

Midway through the second half Pheresi failed to control the ball with just Kgosipula to beat; then minutes later took long to play a pass to Tlhalefang, giving Kgosipula the chance to cover his goal and deny Tlhalefang a fourth.

The Chiefs defence marshaled by Thato Kebue and Charles Mutero were being picked apart on the night.

In the attacking areas Khumoetsile Kufigwa and Lesego Lubinda lacked sufficient supply. 

It ended 3-1 to a Chiefs side who will be eager to revive their season when they meet rivals Township Rollers on October 28.

In other premiership games played on Saturday, Miscellaneous continued their good run under Daniel ‘Chicco Dance’ Nare when they defeated Orapa United 1-0 away,  BDF XI won 2-0 against Sankoyo Bush Bucks, TAFIC won 2-1 against Gilport Lions, Police XI and Extension Gunners drew 1-1, while Jwaneng Galaxy won 1-0 at home against Flamengo Santos.

Orapa, who began match day five in second position, were leapfrogged by Miscellaneous who moved second and Galaxy who moved to third. Orapa United complete a top four led by early season pacesetters Rollers. ENDS