26 Sep 2018

Notwane’s goalkeeper gave a man of the match performance by stopping his side from an embarrassing defeat although his team lost by a solitary goal against Jwaneng Galaxy in a BTC Premiership game played in Molepolole on September 25.

Michael Pepukane had a brilliant start in the first half as the Jwaneng side took hold of the game from the first whistle, attacking their opponents from the flanks.

The visitors kicked-off the game and immediately went on the attack trying to catch Sechaba by surprise. Although the defence remained solid, it was Pepukane who made the last stop.

Galaxy knocked the ball around, exchanging short passes, but it was their speed when near the goal posts that troubled Pepukane and his defence.

Thero Setsile, Tebogo Sembowa and Senatla Molefhe made a busy evening for Notwane, while at the other end of the field Ezekiel Morake was not tested due to his team’s solid defence.

Pepukane showed he was not to be easily pushed over as he jumped at the feet of Sembowa, and a few seconds later he was called on to make another save, with Brian Botsang eventually providing assistance and clearing the danger.

Patrick Kaunda could have put his team ahead but his effort ended hitting the side net after doing all the work and beating defenders.

Sembowa eventually scored what would be the only goal of the game after the defenders failed to clear the ball, and he managed to beat Pepukane with a powerful shot.

Notwane immediately launched its attack in search of an equalising goal, but the defenders came to the rescue of Morake who was beaten and had given up.

In the second half, whatever Notwane coach Keitumetse ‘Pio’ Paul had told his charges must have rejuvenated them as they took the game to their opponents with Tlhalefo Molebatsi going for the kill.

Paul introduced Topo Piet for Mpho Gaegopolwe.

Although Galaxy had not taken a foot off the pedal, they could have gone two goals up after Sembowa beat Pepukane, but Botsang was at hand to clear the ball off the line.

Coach Jorge Miguel Da Costa also made changes, replacing Molefhe with Gilbert Baruti.

Meanwhile, Molebatsi had an opportunity but his shot went wide after he managed to beat several defenders.

Galaxy defence remains the best in the BTC Premiership having conceded only one goal from five games, and this proved difficult for Notwane to penetrate, hence they resorted to long shots which went wide.

Da Costa introduced Atisang Batsi, pulling out Karabo Phiri, who had a good game in the midfield and was involved in most Galaxy attacks.

Towards the end of the game, Paul’s efforts of going for an all-out war were thwarted when an injury on Katlego Koobake forced him to make an unplanned substitution.

Thato Moganana was his team’s last substitution, but the rough tackles by Galaxy defenders, which happened the entire game, meant he finished the game on the bench.
 

After the game, Da Costa praised his players for the win, adding that he preferred the passing game and not long balls.

Paul said he was happy with the way his team played, although they conceded a goal just a few minutes before the end of the first half.

He said playing against big teams was a motivating factor for his players. Ends