BDF XI Humiliate Nico Again
Lekopanye Mooketsi | Monday February 3, 2014 15:09
Matebele followed the 5-2 wallop they gave to Nico in the Mascom Top Eight tournament with another comprehensive 3-1 mauling over the weekend. Unlike the Mascom Top Eight clash, the league match was a lacklustre affair. The Saturday victory means that the army side which has now amassed 44 points is still in contention for the Premier League title.
BDF XI led early in the first half following a goal by the on form captain, Mokgathi Mokgathi. He struck for the second time for a 2-0 halftime score. Depsite failure to score, BDF XI hotshot, Lesego Lubinda was a thorn in the flesh of the Nico defence. He set up Mokgathi for the second goal.
It was a one sided affair as BDF XI dictated the pace as Nico offered little resistance. In the second half, BDF XI introduced former Nico United marksman Master Masitara. This was his second match against his former team mates after he played in the Mascom Top Eight encounter. Nico pulled a goal back through Emmanuel Thakadu in the second half to make it 2-1.The goal seemed to have revived Nico's challenge as they launched attacks in search of the equaliser.
During one of the forays, Nico thought they had won a penalty when one of their strikers was brought down inside the box. But the referee, Gaontebale Malete waved play on to the amazement of the Nico bench. This seemed to have demoralised Majombolo and it did not come as a surprise when BDF XI scored to stretch the lead to 3-1. Thato Ogopotse connected with a low header to put the game beyond Nico's reach. After the match, Nico coach, Kenneth Mogae was disappointed with the referee and his charges. He termed the officiating pathetic and slammed his players saying that they have not corrected their mistakes following the last match between the two sides. To make matters worse, he said the players committed more errors. He said BDF XI is not such a formidable side. 'We should have come up with a point at least.
I think we still have a lot to do,' said the distraught coach. He accused his players of failing to follow instructions. He hopes that Nico will come good when they host BDF XI in the second leg of the Mascom Top Eight in Selebi-Phikwe this weekend. BDF XI coach, Elias Chikwanda said the Saturday game was different from their last encounter as Nico offered more resistance.
'It was tough but we managed to collect three points,' he said, adding that they are still in the race for the league title. By beating Nico twice within a short period of time, Chikwanda who used to coach the Selebi-Phikwe side, is proving to the team that they made a fatal blunder by firing him for failing to deliver.