17 Jan 2019

The BTC Premiership game that was supposed to be played December last year was finally played at Molepolole Sports Complex on January 16 as Mochudi Centre Chiefs beat Police XI by a solitary goal.

They dedicated the victory to their late former vice chairperson, Clifford Mogomotsi.

Magosi walked into the pitch knowing that a victory will be a good way to pay tribute to one of their own who believed in the team.

The game started in a low tempo with neither side showing their intentions to draw first blood.  Fifteen minutes into the game, the Kgatleng outfit failed to utilise Dithebe Kagiso’s defensive error after a poor back pass to the goalkeeper.

Terrence Mandaza could not run well enough to reach the ball before goalkeeper, Lesego Bosekeng.

In the 19^th minute, Chiefs’ countless efforts at goal finally paid off after a combination of passes between Bakang Leshona and Morris Ruzivo released Sekhana ‘Nandos’ Koko who chipped the ball into the far left corner and sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Police XI was however not intimidated as they attacked in large numbers, but the Maapara Nkwe defence remained resilient.

As the game progressed, the Jungle Kings continued pressing forward looking for an equaliser, forcing Magosi to commit in the 18-yard area.

This resulted with free kicks, one of which Katlego Masole hit the defender’s wall but Mpho Kgomo failed to take advantage of the loose ball as his shot went straight to the goalkeeper’s hands.

Police XI were desperate for an equaliser and introduced Keabetswe ‘Mara’ Moloi, pulling out Senwelo Letlhogonolo in the 35^th minute. 

Towards the end of the first half, Chiefs were constantly knocking on the door as Ruzivo, Leshona and Mandaza pushed their opponents backwards.

Leshona had an opportunity to extend the lead when he broke out with only the keeper to beat, but Lesego Bosekeng punched his shot back into play and the danger was cleared.

After half time, the Jungle Kings enjoyed more ball possession, but Mike Sithole’s men were let down by poor finishing.

Sithole introduced Nyambi Elphius for Bakang Otsile to increase their firepower and their attack mode forced Magosi to ‘park the bus’ and look for counter attacks.  

Magosi remained resolute, avoiding the mistake they made in their last game against Extension Gunners who equalised in the last minute.

In a post-match interview, Chiefs’ coach, Itumeleng Duicker said he was happy with the way his boys. He said they executed his instructions well.

He, however, was concerned with the way his players kept the ball. “Today I’m a bit disappointed with our way of keeping the ball because we were losing the ball very easily,” he said

For his part, Jungle Kings coach, Sithole said his team’s loss was a wake-up call for him and his boys to go back to the drawing board to find out what went wrong and fix it before their next feature. ENDS