Visiting Flamingoes prevail in 15-hour wait
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday May 22, 2023 16:00
The match, which kicked off on Friday night ended on Saturday because of problematic flood lights at the Lobatse Sports Complex. The match started at 7pm on Friday but was paused twice because of faulty floodlights before it resumed on Saturday morning. Sua Flamingoes came from a goal down to beat Systems 2-1.
The hosts had taken the lead through Kaone van der Westhuizen own goal on the 15th minute. Systems were all over Sua Flamingoes inside the first 30 minutes. Molaodi Tlhalefang was denied by the goalkeeper on the first minute. Three minutes later, Kabelo Kuti was also called into action to save Botshelo Mafoko’s shot.
Bokang Rathipana for Systems tried from a tight angle but the goalkeeper was alert to make a save on the eighth minute. A minute later, Keletso Lekuni made another brilliant save to deny Tlhalefang on a one-on-one encounter. On the 13th minute, Systems were knocking again, this time Takunda Sadiki tried with a powerful shot but was denied by Lekuni.
The goalkeeper, however, went from hero to zero when he failed to trap a van der Westhuizen back pass and the ball went in and was credited as an own goal. The lights went dim on the 20th minute.
The match referee, Tirelo Mositwane paused the match for over an hour to allow for technical support. The tie resumed after an hour and the only chance at goal was when Tendai Nyumasi set up Mafoko whose shot was saved by the goalkeeper. The tempo of the game had gone down after the pause and Systems held a 1-0 lead to the halftime break. Ten minutes into the second half, substitute Kevin Bulala made an immediate impact and won his side a penalty. However, Samuel Makgoro hit the cross bar from the spot.
The tie was paused on the 63rd minute of regulation time when the floodlights failed once again. The match and team officials agreed that the tie will resume on Saturday at 10am.
Resuming on the 64th minute, Sua equalised on the 80th minute of regulation time through a Nyumasi penalty. The visitors scored the winner through Mafoko on the 85th minute to bag three points on the road.
The Teams: Systems: Kabelo Kuti, Bophelo Macheng, Sadiki Takunda, Molaodi Tlhalefang, Bokang Rathipana, Tawana Mbakile, Letlhogonolo Chenjela, Thato Ogopotse, Onkarabile Bogatsu, Oratile Mogatusi, Daniel Montshiwa
Sua: Keletso Lekuni, Kealeboga Molebatsi, Goitseone Legopelo, Kaone van der Westhuizen, Gomotsang Tselaesele, Mpho Odubeng , Ngwako Ramokgathadi, Mcebisi Moyo, Samuel Makgoro, Botshelo Mafoko, Tendai Nyumasi
Systems 1 (van der Westhuizen 15th) Sua 2 (Nyumasi 80th, Mafoko 85th)