15 Apr 2019

Former premiership aristocrats, Mochudi Centre Chiefs continued their free fall from grace.

Just when many a supporter expected them to use the Orange FA cup to redeem themselves against minnows, Jwaneng Fighters on April 14, Magosi left the mining town with tails between their legs after crashing out 1-3 on penalties.

The shootout came after the two were deadlocked at one each at fulltime, but the result was not what many Magosi supporters were expecting, especially after the Kgatleng giants were the first to find the back of net in the 10th minute through Lobopo Moremi, and with their team pilling more pressure on their opponent, supporters became hopeful.

Chiefs enjoyed much of the possession and attack with their keeper, Siamisang Kgosipula idle most of the time, but Fighters levelled matters in the 41st minute through Kago Motshegare to give the first division south outfit morale boost that they carried into the second half, but could not find the winning goal until fulltime, forcing the game into the lottery of penalties.

With Fighters missing their first spot kick and Chiefs netting theirs, the many home supporters turned anxious, until the experienced Raphael Nthwane turned hero when he made two successive saves from the pair of equally experienced Morris Rusivo and Terrence Mandaza.

After the game, the ecstatic Fighters coach, Andrew Tlou stated that his team could have wrapped up the game in regular time.

“Even though Chiefs attacked us more, especially in the first half, we were the ones with more clear cut chances and could have long won the game with a wide margin if we were composed up front,” he said.
Tlou has long raised concern on his team’s failure to convert chances even in the league.

He also said still being active in the Orange FA cup will not distract them from fighting for promotion to the premiership, a chance that they still have.

For his part, Chiefs coach Zaahid Jalal indicated that their man focus was more on avoiding relegation than progressing in the FA Cup. Even though he could not commit whether the loss was a blessing in disguise, he said it will now give them time to focus more on the battle for survival.

After the game, a draw was done for the quarterfinal stage and Kazungula Fighter were paired against Township Rollers while Jwaneng Fighters will take on Police XI.

BDF XI will again face their hoodoo team, Jwaneng Galaxy that knocked them out of the Mascom Top 8 cup over two legs, while Security Systems will face Orapa United. ENDS