Chippa Legodimo
6 January 2009
RAMOTSWA — Killer Giants were made to sweat for the P7, 000 first prize money they pocketed as champions of the 'Even Group New Year Tournament'.
They ran onto the field as favourites against Bolux FC of Taung but had to rely on penalties to get a result from the final match played at Siga Grounds on Sunday. The final score was 4-3 on penalties for Killer Giants.
After Bolux eliminated Giants' archrivals Letlapeng, it looked like 'Sebatana' would just sail through but that was not to be. After scoring an early goal, contested on the grounds of offside, Killer Giants could not hold onto their lead for long.
Their "juniors" pressed for an equalising goal and were duly rewarded in the 23rd minute when Tumelo Melore cancelled Bampoloki Mokokwe's earlier strike through a penalty after his team mate was pushed inside the box.
The opening minutes saw Killer Giants pressing for an opener as they tried to cushion their position in the first half.
However, scoring remained a problem because of the stout defending of the likes of Tshepo Raphoto and Phillip Rakala in the Bolux defence. Maniki Moalafi's lack of composure inside the box only compounded Sebatana's scoring problems. His strike partner, Mokokwe despite scoring the opener, was a pale shadow of his old self, concentrating excessively on showmanship on the ball rather than scoring. Midway through the first half, Bolux started to regroup and caused problems for their fancied opponents.
Bolux's Meshack Kabelo was better than Terrence Maotwe in the engine room while young winger Melore was a marvel to watch on the left flank using both pace and skill to turn the opponents' defence.
After the break, Killer Giants were once again more threatening and it looked like they would change the 1-1 half time score but poor coordination let them down. Bolux goalkeeper, Tebo Mpho, was in an uncompromising mood, thwarting Donald 'Coach' Mopako, Pane Rakhobo and Gabalatlhege 'Bashin' Thammano on a few occasions when it looked certain that his defence was nowhere. But once again Bolux were able to soak the early pressure and started to play as a unit but perhaps Melore tended to overdo things with the ball and put his team under unnecessary pressure.
The game failed to produce a winner at full time and had to be decided on penalties. The fans had to hold their breath. First to the spot was the young Melore who had already scored a penalty in regular time.
The stylish manner in which he took the penalty just proved what a skilful player the youngster is. But the real drama came when the two teams took their fourth penalties. Mpho Letsholo of Bolux could not believe his eyes when Mxolisi Sobada came out to block his spot kick. But the move seemed to spur the other goalkeeper into peak action as he blocked Othusitse Mosanawe's next kick.
Bolux captain, Rakala should have done better but he hit the goalpost much to the frustration of his fans. It was now up to Killer Giants second half substitute, Oabona Motsumi to wrap up the match and he did it in style, firing a powerful kick to send fans into a frenzy.
Bolux took home P5, 250 as runner ups while Letlapeng only pocketed P3, 500 for third position after they beat Home Defenders 1-0 in losers final. The teams that did not make it past the first round were consoled with P1, 200 each.
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