Toronto played to a 1-1 draw against CRACKiT City Polar in the First Division South League tie here at City Polar ground.
Prior to the game, Notwane had a perfect start to the season winning the first three games. “We have not lost in the three games; it is a very difficult league. I do not expect us to win every single game.
But what it is important is that we should not drop points against the teams we are competing against. In my view this is one of the teams that are challenging for the title but with a draw away from home, I will not complain too much,” Nthaga said. From the 10th minute the visitors had an upper hand but could not break through the opposition defence.
Full back, Botsile Sakana came closest on the 23rd minute but his free kick attempt went agonisingly over the bar. A minute later, Notwane took the lead as Remington Masuku tucked in from close range.
The goal breathed some life into the home side. On the 26th minute, Mpho Ramagonono found himself at the end of a string of passes by City Polar but his shot from range was well handled by the goalkeeper.
From that moment, the pace of the match went a notch higher as tackles flew in. Just after the half hour mark, a commotion started on the field after a collision between Chabaesele Mositwane and the opposition goalkeeper.
Three players were booked for the incident as Notwane took a goal lead into the break. Just some seconds into second half, Emmanuel Thabe capitalised from a mistake between the goalkeeper and his defence and slotted into an open net to make it 1-1.
With the tie now closely contested, both sides struggled to make clear-cut goalscoring chances. Mositwane nearly gave the home side the lead on the 64th minute but his headed effort from close range went over the bar.
Both sides settled for a draw and remain unbeaten thus far this season. “We will take a point and go home. Notwane is still at the top but the gap is not too big. We started slow but we made some changes in the midfield so we could match them. That is why we came back stronger in the second half,” City Polar assistant coach, Thabo Mothibi said after the game.
The Teams:
City Polar: Lesego Moitse, Karabo Radikolana, Kagiso Molapi, Boikobo Kebadifile, Kaboyaone Matlou, Jackie Tapologo, Miguel Kgomo (Thatayaone Lekoko), Chabaesele Mositwane, Emmanuel Thabe, Mpho Ramagonono, Onthatile Pule (Thabo Dintwe)
Notwane: Tumisho Mashakola, Thato Moganana, Comfort Ramokono, Thabang Ofitlhile, Kgotla Dikomang (Thato Gabotlhokwe), Keolopile Molemi, Kudzanani Machadzani, Sthembile Mbuqe, Botsile Sakana, Tefo Galani (Larona Seloba), Remmington Masuku (Adam Tende) Cautions: Ramogonono, Tapologo, Matlou, Sakana, Machadzani, Nthaga
City Polar 1 (Thabe 46th) Notwane 1 (Masuku 24th)
