20 Jan 2019

Black Forest continued their poor league performance with a 2-1 home defeat to Miscellaneous on January 19 afternoon at Lobatse Sports Complex.

Miscellaneous’ substitute striker Pako Modikwa scored a 90th minute winner from a corner-kick to secure victory for his team and break Forest’s hearts.

Forest are now rooted firmly at the bottom of the BTC Premiership with nine points from 17 matches after going 10 league games without victory.

The Mmankgodi side enjoyed more ball possession in the first half, but struggled to crack the Miscellaneous defence as youngsters Gobona Ramotlhwa, Thabo Motlhabane, Koketso Modisane and Thobo Gaboduelwe showed lack of experience by fluffing promising moves upfront.

They were the first to threaten in the 18th minute through Koketso Majafi’s free-kick from the edge of the penalty area, which sailed narrowly over Miscellaneous’ goalkeeper Basimanebotlhe Moilwa’s goalposts. Forest goalkeeper Lame Tladinyane then prevented the visitors from taking the lead four minutes later by diving sharply to parry away Moenga Chakova’s close range low shot.

Miscellaneous were awarded a penalty in the 45th minute after Donald Botshoma, playing in an unfamiliar right-back position as opposed to his usual attacking midfield role, brought down Kaelo Kgano with a rush challenge inside the box.

Bhekuyise Kunene stepped forward to convert the spot-kick and give the visitors the lead.

The hosts continued fighting with Ramotlhwa, Gaboduelwe and Botshoma coming close to equalising in the second half. But the visitors had chances of their own through Pako Osupile and Mooketsi Gareonne.

Forest’s pressure was finally rewarded in the 83rd minute when Miscellaneous’ defender Lucas Mothata handled inside the box, and Motlhabane calmly slotted the resultant penalty through the middle of Moilwa’s goalposts.

However, with time running out Modikwa converted a corner-kick from Mothata to hand all the three points to the visitors. Forest have now lost their last five league encounters since a 1-1 draw with BR Highlanders in November.

Forest coach Reetsang Letlole said his team played well but failed to convert their chances. He said they needed to work on their goal-scoring because they could not win games while they missed chances.

“If we don’t take our chances we will continue to play well and lose games. Our position on the log is not good. We will continue to fight to get out of where we are at the moment. We will motivate the players to insure that they don’t feel the pressure and drop their heads,” said Letlole.

Miscellaneous coach Otsile ‘Chippa’ Koolese said he was pleased with the victory even though his team did not play well.

“We didn’t play well, especially in the second half. But we managed to change things tactically and won the match. Our aim is to finish the league in the top eight,” said Koolese.

The coach said he intended to beef his team upfront during the transfer window because his current strikers were not scoring enough goals. ENDS