The two teams had played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time and could only be separated by the shootout. The home side had shown their intentions as early as the fifth minute with Sfiso Myeni’s shot deflected for a corner. On the 19th minute, Lucky Mokoena was denied after he broke with pace but was met by the advancing goalkeeper and his attempt was thwarted for a throw in. A minute later, Onkokame Koontse guided his low driven shot just wide off the goal as VTM controlled the proceedings in the first half. The home side eventually took the lead on 29th minute when Myeni sneaked at the far post to nod in a beautifully placed cross by Senatla Molefhe.
Five minutes to the break, Mokoena found Molefhe with a pass but the latter shot over the bar from just outside the box. On the brink of half time, Tefo Molefe of Matebejana saw his half volley going wide off the post as VTM took a 1-0 in to the break. Matebejana levelled the matters just four minutes into the second half as Audreen Chisiyanwa tucked in from close range. On the hour mark Molefe saw his free-kick attempt parried back into play by the goalkeeper. Seven minutes later, Mokoena laid a pass for Myeni whose attempt went over the bar. Chisiyanwa came close once again on the 74th minute with an acrobatic attempt inside the box but it was well saved by the goalkeeper. Substitute, Enerst Tawadzaza found Kabelo Thomba whose shot went just off the goal before Emang Tlhasenyana shot wide just moments later with the last kicks of the tie.
Goalkeeper, Victor Mothakaja pulled one save from the four shots he faced in the shootout to help his side advance to the second round of the competition. “I am happy that we went through. It was a difficult encounter especially in the second half. They came prepared; they caught us in transition and they forced errors on us. But I believe we played a very good second half because we could dictate the terms on how we build play from the back but we lost grip when we came from recess,” VTM’s head coach, Nelson Olebile said. Matebejana’s assistant coach, Kabelo Mlandu was disappointed with the results but lauded his side for a brave performance.
The Teams:
VTM: Victor Mothakaja, Bakani Madaiza, Keabetswe Lucas, Kennedy Taukobong, Rooi Mahamutsa, Musa Tamokate (Thato Mogorosi), Onkgolotse Motlhabankwe, Sfiso Myeni (Kabelo Thomba), Senatla Molefhe, Onkokame Koontse (Enerst Tawadzaza), Lucky Mokoena (Emang Tlhasenyana)
Matebejana: Mpho Mantsho, Patrick Bonang, Arnold Obuseng, Khaulani Mbuya, Tefo Molefe, Selatoleng Dikole (Theo Shadikong), Kabo Gaboipewe, Molosiwa Molosiwa (Mmoloki Masoko), Audreen Chisiyanwa, Katlo Setlhoka (Pako Moleti), Moatlhodi Ralesotla
Cautions: Molefhe, Taukobong, Mothakaja
VTM 4 (1) (Myeni 29th) Matebejana 2 (1) (Chisinyanwa 49th)
