Prisons XI hurt Masitaoka again

THAPELO MOLEBATSI
Correspondent | Tuesday August 5, 2008 00:00

The Molepolole side was presented with an opportunity for revenge when they were drawn against Prisons XI in the round of 32 in the Coca-Cola Cup. They were agonisingly close to sending Prisons XI tumbling out of the lucrative competition until a last minute penalty put paid to their hopes at the Buffaloes Ground on Sunday.

The match was a continuation of their bitter rivalry from the First Division South after the two sides confronted each other in two controversial matches to determine which of them proceeds to the Premier League promotion play-offs. Prisons XI carried the day and over the weekend, it was payback time for Masitaoka.

From the first whistle, Masitaoka took the match to their opponents. With scores locked at 0-0 in the second half, Tefo Molathegi forced a good save from Prisons XI goalkeeper Thabo Ntsiapane. Molathegi was at it again when he volleyed from the midfield but Ntsiapane was equal to the task. As the game progressed, Masitaoka's pint-sized attacking midfielder Kitso Mniko upped the pace and opened up Prisons XI. Despite being under constant attack, Prisons XI did not lose shape. Their rearguard led by captain Kabelo Kgosiang was in a mean mood and frustrated Masistaoka frontmen. However, in the 64th minute Masitaoka found the back of the net through a header from Setshego Segapo. Three minutes later, Mniko almost doubled the lead but missed by inches with Ntsiapane beaten.

Gideon Tsenang, the Prisons XI coach, then brought in veteran Keitumetse Dikepu who changed the tempo of the game. In the dying minutes, as the vociferous Masitaoka fans shouted for the final whistle, disaster struck. Their side conceded a penalty and the on form skipper Kgosiang slotted home to make it 1-1. During the penalty shoot-out, Prisons XI outclassed their bitter opponents 7-6.

Tsenang heaped praises on his side for showing resilience throughout the match and credited their win to experience. Masitaoka coach, Bonny Mothakaja, revealed that though he is disappointed by the outcome, he is happy with how his side played. That is why he did not make any substitutions. He regretted the many chances that his young side created but failed to convert.