Coming into the tie, Notwane had a chance to leapfrog Extension Gunners who suffered a defeat against log leaders on Friday but the defeat has plunged Notwane further into the depths of uncertainty, intensifying their battle against relegation with only four games remaining.
Despite suffering a defeat, head coach for Notwane, Thatayamodimo Tebele, remained optimistic that he will save the sinking ship in the remaining matches.
“Tough luck to us how the game ended; we missed couple of chances but that is how football it is.
We now have to focus on the remaining games because we have to fight every game. We cannot allow the team to go down, but we have hope and trust that we will achieve that,” Tebele hoped. From the first whistle, Magosi showed their intent to walk away with three points.
Sixteen minutes into the game, Chiefs broke the deadlock. Jackie Tapologo hit a long powerful strike from just outside the 18th area box to beat goalkeeper, Basimanebotlhe Moilwa. Magosi did not keep their foot off the pedal and probed for another goal. On the 26th minute, Chiefs nearly found their second goal with Julius Montsho’s header missing the target by a whisker.
Seven minutes later, Koos Matlala hit the crossbar from his free-kick from just outside the box. Moilwa was tried and tested once again from recess with Matlala’s strike parried away. Notwane nearly levelled matters but their effort was cleared off the line by Magosi’s defence. Tapologo almost recreated his first half goal but the woodwork came to Notwane’s rescue and denied him the second goal. Snappy winger for Magosi, Legend Monyake, almost buried his chance after cutting inside the box. With the game approaching the end, Bakang Leshona was shown a red card after the second yellow card.
The game went on to end 1-0 in favour of Centre Chiefs. Chiefs assistant coach, Thabo Mothibi was elated with how his side got an early goal lead that they went on to defend. “This is really a hard fought three points and I believe that the early goal helped us a lot and we managed to maintain the lead; made subs to protect the lead. Our plan worked really well,” Mothibi said.
The teams
Centre Chiefs: Tumisang Selolwane, Happy Pilane, Jackie Tapologo, Gaamangwe Thabe, Gofaone Molapi (Thapelo Thebeyagae), Julius Montsho, Bakang Leshona, Kakanyo Kethubile (Ontiretse Morotsi), Legend Monyake (Edgar Mpedi), Koos Matlala, Thabo Phatsima (Adam Tende) Notwane: Basimanebotlhe Moilwa, Omphemetse Motaung, Mphoyamodimo Keipone, Keothomile Motshudi, Josephy Pyele, Kudzanai Machadzani, Gaolatlhe Mbaiwa (Tlotlo Kgosimore), Molemi Dibuile, Sithembile Mbuqe, Oratile Mogatusi (Tumelo Thebe), Donald Botshoma.
Centre Chiefs 1 (Tapologo 16th) Notwane 0
