14 Feb 2019

Notwane and BDF XI BTC Premiership game played in Molepolole on Wednesday evening ended in a stalemate.

The two sides played an exciting football, with Notwane enjoying most of the ball possession, taking the game to their opponents, with short but quick exchanges.

While Toronto attack might trouble some teams, BDF XI remained resolute and were determined not to let their opponents slip, although at times their constant passes to the goalkeeper looked frightening.

The constant attacking by Notwane in large numbers, saw BDF XI playing long balls from defence, trying to catch their opponents with counter attacks.
In one of the counter attacks, Notwane’s goalkeeper Michael Pepukani had to make a dramatic save to deal with a header from Keeagile Kobe.

At the other end, Notwane continued with their attacks, launched by Tlhalefo Molebatsi, Lesego Lubinda and Benjamin Sarkoh but they could not break the BDF XI defence.

Notwane enjoyed several free kicks but they were not put to good use.

In one instance, Molebatsi had a free kick, few metres from Michael Jame’s goalmouth following a foul by Tumisang Pule on Sarkoh but it was not put to good use, something the coach has to work on.

Towards the end of the first half, BDF XI locked all spaces, forcing Notwane to constantly restart the game from the back.

In the second half, Notwane continued with their domination, but BDF XI had changed tactics and this saw them increasing their attacks.

Kobe’s shot proved a little too much for Pepukani as the ball slipped through his ‘butter’ fingers but managed to recover, conceding a corner in the process.

Molebatsi also had an opportunity as he managed to take on the defenders, and following his quick exchanges with Katlego Koobake, he was unfortunate as he failed to hit the target.

As the game progressed, both teams did everything they could to score, at times taking desperate measures and tempers flared, resulting with several players being booked for their rough tackles.

Notwane introduced Thato Gabothokwe, and although the supporters hailed his introduction, they did not approve the decision to take out Thato Mogorosi.

Sarkho had the whole Notwane bench standing, ready for celebration, following his break though ball but he wasted the golden opportunity as he shot wide.

The introduction of Mpho Gaegopolwe by Notwane brought more energy into the game, with Gabothokwe, who took time to settle in the game, starting to show his dribbling skills which however were not put to good use as in most cases he could not find his team mates to support him.

Amos Godirwang received his marching orders following his second booking.

However, as if balancing the numbers, BDF XI’s Oratile Taunyane, who had come in as a substitute for  Lovemore Bogatsu, also received a red card following his second booking, this time for a foul on Koobake. ENDS