Sharps Shoot Into The Premiership
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday April 24, 2017 14:36
Sharps, who came into the game in need of a single point to ensure automatic promotion, had to come from a goal down to draw level twice against the relegation threatened side, thanks to goals by former Premiership stars, Moemedi Moatlhaping and Monageng Thaele.
The visitors looked threatening in the first minute as they had their go at a goal as early as the fifth minute, but Thabani Ngwenya flew over the post. Seven minutes later, Ngwenya failed to beat the trap and his goal was ruled offside. On the 22nd-minute, Sharps launched their first real attack at a goal as the ball fell into Moatlhaping’s path.
The attacker’s shot was saved by the keeper. From the long range, United launched a quick counter attack, Ngwenya found Neelo Nkele in the box, and the skipper managed to lob the keeper to silence the home crowd in the 23rd minute. Moatlhaping replied for Sharps three minutes later when he headed home a corner kick. United regained the lead with five minutes left to break when Nkele passed the ball to Tshepiso Jabari inside the box. The striker held the defender, turned and smashed the roof of the net. With that United took a one goal lead into the break.
A minute into the second half, Sharps’ Letlhogonolo Chenjeka came close with a header, but it went wide. The home side was rewarded for their efforts as they equalised on the hour mark. Substitute Langa Mabule outwit the defender with skill, centered the ball, the keeper parried only to fall into Thaele’s path. The midfielder slotted home to send the crowd into wild celebration. On the 78th minute, Thaele delivered a telling cross into the box but Michael Mmelesi’s header hit the post.
“It was a tough game. We are fighting relegation and we were playing a team that needed a point. I would say it is a game that we should have won. I will keep my promise and fight until the end,” United gaffer, Tebogo Modikwe said after the game. His counterpart, Keitumetse ‘Pio’ Paul said despite an average display he was happy to get the promotion. “Today you could see that the anxiety was there and the team we were playing was fighting with their lives. We did not start well, but we recovered in the second half. I am happy, I can’t complain,” he said.
The teams:
Sharps: Richard Musheke, Khumo Bogale (Bakang Madaiza), Pato Sekana, Keleagetse Mogomotsi, Gift Maworere, Tebogo Benjamin, Moemedi Moatlhaping, Letlhogonolo Chenjeka (Bonolo Onkutule), Michael Mmelesi, Bonolo Majoni (Langa Mabule), Monageng Thaele
United: Oteng Mogapi, Goitseone Lefenya, Goitsemodimo Segware, Bakang Selato, George Mponiki, Neelo Nkele, Badisa Thulare, Thabani Ngwenya (Uncleheart Kayazebi), Tshepiso Jabari, Wame Kgosing, Kabo Natale
Cautions: Ngwenya, Mmelesi
Sharps 2 (Moatlhaping 26th, Thaele 60th)
United 2 (Nkele 23rd, Jabari 40th)