Tshepo Molwane
7 April 2008
Boteti Young Fighters' goalkeeper, Chamu Madamombe put up a sterling performance to put Mochudi Centre Chiefs' title aspirations on hold during their Mascom Premier League game on Saturday night at the National Stadium. Boteti held Magosi to a goalless draw.
An inspired Boteti Young Fighters put Mochudi Centre Chiefs' title celebrations on hold in an entertaining goalless draw at the National Stadium on Saturday night. Magosi came to the game needing maximum points to lift the coveted Mascom Premier League title but the Orapa rookies, especially goalkeeper Chamu Madamombe frustrated their efforts.
This means Chiefs will have to wait until Wednesday when a win against former champions Mogoditshane Fighters will see them realise their ambitions after over 30 years of failure and agony.
On Saturday night, Magosi could have taken the lead in the 15th minute but captain Pontsho Moloi's powerful header was saved by Madamombe. Minutes later, the goalkeeper was at it again saving Mpho 'Jomo' Mabogo's header. Failure to convert the chances frustrated the Chiefs' supporters and the visitors did not let Magosi to dictate the terms. Boteti performed well on the night and matched their fancied opponents.
The Orapa debutants could have opened the scoring in the 25th minute but key striker Derrick Ntumba headed wide from a well-taken corner by Kgakgamatso Pharo. Boteti continued to push forward and Chiefs' goalkeeper Noah Maposa had to parry away a well-taken free-kick by Cosmos Sibona. They suffered a scare in the 45th minute when Jabu Pilane missed from inside the sixth yard box with Madamombe stranded.
After the break, both sides continued to attack and Mabogo's cracker rattled the crossbar in the 60th minute. In the 72nd minute, Ntumba missed a golden opportunity much to the disappointment of the travelling supporters. Eight minutes later, Patrick Lenyeletse wasted another opportunity after leaving Chiefs' defender Gobonyeone 'Shoes' Selefa sprawled on the turf.
Boteti competed strongly against their opponents and were unfortunate in the 84th minute when Barcley Richard's shot flew over the bar. Chiefs could have won the game in the dying minutes but Jerome Ramatlhakwana and Mabogo could not bury their chances. Chiefs introduced former Township Rollers' star Sekhana 'Nandos' Koko whose in put was felt by the opposition. Boteti supporters were on their toes in referee's optional time rooting for a goal but substitute Keitumetsi Lelebanye headed over the bar. Credit has to go to referee Jonathan Male for handling the game well throughout the 90 minutes.
Chiefs' tactician Beston Chambeshi admitted to Monitor Sport that Boteti gave them a tough game. "But the trophy is still in our hands. We have the game on Wednesday and I am confident that we will do the job. The supporters have to be patient and we will not disappoint them," he said. Boteti coach Kenneth Mogae said they matched their opponents pound to pound. He said that they planned properly for Chiefs. "We used three man-markers to monitor their three strikers throughout the game. We wanted them not to combine and we achieved that. A draw is a fair result," he said. Mogae is confident that his side will finish in the second spot come the end of the season.
In other results, Nico United beat Township Rollers 3-2 in Selebi-Phikwe as BDF XI got away with a 1-0 win away to Jwaneng Comets. In Francistown, Flamengo Santos' woes continued when they were beaten 2-1 by TAFIC. Gaborone United beat visiting ECCO City Greens 3-2 at the UB Stadium.
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