A classic in the jungle
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday November 27, 2023 16:00
Magosi won the first half and Toronto won the second as described by those who witnessed the classic contest on Saturday. Chiefs led 3-0 at the half hour mark but Notwane came back to end the tie with a 3-3 draw. The two sides reminisced their days in the elite league turfs but both find themselves in the bottom half of the second tier league table.
It could be an extended stay in the dusty grounds but the fans at the match venue on Saturday were entertained. Just three minutes into the tie, Chiefs were awarded a penalty after Remmington Masuku was brought down in the area. Sphiwe Matlala stepped up and made no mistake to give Magosi the lead.
It was 2-0 on the 18th minute as Adam Tende tapped in from close range. The goalkeeper had spilled Matlala's cross and gifted Tende the easiest of chances. Notwane were punished for yet another defensive blunder on the 29th minute with Bakang Leshona making 3-0 for Chiefs. Emmanuel Ramatoroko misguided his pass in to Masuku’s path and found Leshona who beat the goalkeeper to the near top corner. Despite being on trail at the break, Toronto had moments of theirs in the half.
The team pulled one back three minutes into the second half as Mphoyamodimo Keiponye half volleyed in Thato Goitsemang’s cross from close range. Lemogang Kabo squeezed one home from a scramble in the area on the hour mark. Kabo bagged his brace on the 71st minute when he capped a well curated move by Notwane with a beautifully struck shot. “If I was allowed to give my honest opinion, the language would be unfriendly but I am not happy. The first three minutes we lead and in the first 15 minutes of the second half we concede and it is costing us games,” Kowa said. His counterpart part, Thatayamodimo Tebele lauded his side for a bravely fought come back.
The teams
Notwane: Phatsimo Mogweng, Donald Botshoma, Emmanuel Ramatoroko, Lemogang Kabo, Molemi Dubuile, Sithembile Mbuqe, Thabang Ofitlhile (Thato Goitsemang), Omphemetse Motaung, Mphoyamodimo Keiponye, Bonolo Pono (Thato Gabatlhokwe), Tlotlo Kgosimore (Kudzanani Machadzani)
Chiefs: Tumisang Selolwane, Julius Montsho, Thabang Batlhokile (Keolopile Molemi), Ontiretse Morotsi, Kagiso Molapi, Thapelo Thebeyagae, Bakang Leshona (Thabo Phatsima), Jackie Tapologo (Kgotlaetsile Gopolang), Remmington Masuku, Adam Tende, Sphiwe Matlala Cautions: Machadzani, Ramatoroko, Montsho, Tende
Notwane 3 (Keiponye 48th, Kabo 60th, 71st) Chiefs 3 (Matlala third pen, Tende 18th, Leshona 29th)