Relegation threatened Fighters shock Notwane
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday February 12, 2024 19:23
Molefi also said their position on the log standings is worrisome and that the Saturday game against Notwane was very important for them. “We have told ourselves that we will take each game as it comes and aim for three points or at least a point. Our focus is to get out of this precarious situation. We should take this team back to where it belongs,” he said. Molefi was full of praise for his charges and said every department from the back to the front did well on the day. He said they won the match through experienced players in the team. He stated that last season they played mostly with youngsters but decided to include some experienced players in the team.
“You win matches with experience, you also win the league with experience. That is why we decided to bring in players that can withstand pressure much more easily,” he said. The game was evenly contested in the first half with both sides cancelling each other out especially in the midfield. They created few chances but went to the half time recess tied at 0-0 score line. However, things turned out differently in the second half with Fighters taking the lead as early as the 46th minute through Phenyo Lebopo. Notwane had just launched an attack but were dispossessed, giving Fighters a chance to start their own attack. Lebopo was given all the space on the edge of the box, controlled the ball and hit a powerful shot, beating Notwane goalkeeper, Basimanebotlhe Moilwa at the top corner. Lebopo doubled Fighters’ lead, a minute later, this time with a header inside the box. Realising that the game was getting out of their sight, Notwane made several substitutions. But it was Fighters once again who found the back of the net through Tebogo Mogotsi to take the game beyond Notwane’s reach. Notwane pulled one back through Thabang Ofitlhile through a penalty kick. However, it was too late for a comeback.
The teams
Fighters: Tumisang Nawa, Ramotsoka Ramotsoka, Gift Mothusi, Thabiso Molefe, Dipateletso, Odirile Kananyo, Goitseone Kusane, Tebogo Mogotsi, Moilwa, Koketso Mokgantitswane, Phenyo Lebopo
Notwane: Basimanebotlhe Moilwa, Joseph Pyele, Mphoyamodimo Keipone (Emmanuel Ramatoroko), Keotlhomile Motshodi, Kudzanai Machadzai, Bonolo Pono, Botswetswe Othusegile, Omphemetse Motaung (Mpho Selebogo), Larona Seloba (Molemi Dibuile), Thabang Ofitlhile, Donald Botshoma
Score: Fighters 3 (Lebopo 46th, 47th, Mogotsi 77th) Notwane 1(Ofitlhile 89th)