26 Sep 2018

Assistant coach Itumeleng Duiker says Mochudi Centre Chiefs are improving and will register a victory soon.

Chiefs were held to a 1-1 draw by Prisons XI at Otse Police Stadium on September 25, continuing their worst ever start to a league campaign since the top flight was restructured into the Premier League back in the 2004/05 season.

The result saw Magosi fail to register victory in their first six matches for the first time in the Premier League era.

They have accumulated three points after three draws and three defeats.

Prisons took an early lead through defender Percy More 13 minutes into the encounter. The centre back controlled a corner-kick from Tumo Lebanna in the penalty area and fired past goalkeeper Siamang Kgosipula to score his first goal in the ‘Warders’ colours.

Magosi staged a gallant fight back and equalised through Edwin Olerile 19 minutes from full time.

Olerile, who was pushed into an attacking midfield role in the second half, headed home a cross from Unabatsha Mbaiwa to end a four match goal scoring drought for Magosi.

Strikers Mbaiwa and Phenyo Molefhe had come close to giving Chiefs an early lead with efforts inside the first 10 minutes, but Prisons were the better side in the first half.

Olerile cleared Kitso Mpuisang’s effort off the goal line to prevent Prisons from doubling their lead, while Chiefs also survived a penalty scare after Trinity Nko appeared to clip

Mopati Motshudi on the heel, but the referee choose to caution the striker for simulation instead of pointing to the spot.

Olerile’s inventiveness ignited Chiefs in the second half and he linked with Nko in the penalty area but the Magosi captain shot over the post.

Molefhe then failed to convert an inviting cross from Bakang Leshona midway through the second half before Olerile levelled matters to rescue a point for Magosi.

The former Township Rollers captain was later denied a second goal by goalkeeper Ontiretse Gaotlhobogwe’s outstretched legs.

While he expressed concern about the team’s poor run, Duiker pointed out that the team was getting better and would soon return to winning ways.

“Six games without a win is obviously a concern. We have to be worried when we are going to win.

But we are coming up. The fitness has improved and we can now play the whole game at the same pace. Football is not a short term thing. We will come up,” said Duiker.

He said the team played well against Prisons but were undone by defensive lapses and poor finishing.

“We played better football and then lost concentration, and a lousy chance and it’s (the goal) in. Instead of tight marking we gave them space, just an easy goal. But we showed character from behind. We controlled the game and were just unlucky not to finish up.

It’s (scoring) a concern for me. I work on it every day in training,” he said.

Chiefs welcome Security Systems at Molepolole Sports Complex in their next match on 7 October. Ends