Chiefs defer Holy Ghost’s ‘party’
Holy Ghost Chiefs (Kufigwa 65th)
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he Debswana First Division South league took an interesting turn on Saturday when Mochudi Centre Chiefs beat log leaders, Holy Ghost 1-0 at the Holy Ghost Park. Attacking midfielder, Khumoetsile Kufigwa’s header in the second half was enough to hand the Kgatleng giants the much-needed three points.
The result set up what could be a thrilling spectacle in the last two round of matches left in the league. Had Holy Ghost registered victory against Magosi, they would have won the league title as well as automatically gain promotion to the Botswana Premier League while Chiefs, Matebele and Black Forest would have to fight for the play-off position (runners up).
However, Magosi were not to be convinced into allowing the title race to end prematurely and they showed their intentions as early as the first minute. As soon as the referee blew the first whistle, Chiefs moved forward trying to unsettle the hosts and looking for an early goal.
Holy Ghost on the other hand struggled to deal with the countless attacks from Chiefs in the early minutes of the game. In the second minute, Chiefs’ captain, Arnold Mampori tossed a high ball upfront, setting up Orabile Powe who outpaced Ghost’s defenders.
Holy Ghost goalkeeper, Onkamogetse Ditebelo sensed danger and advanced from his goalposts making the execution of the header difficult for Powe and the ball went slightly wide off the posts. By the fifth minute, Chiefs were already on their fourth attack while Ghost were still trying to find their rhythm in the match.
Holy Ghost got back in the match towards the middle of the first half and started taking control of the midfield with Kgomotso Kgopegang and Mpho Petros dictating terms.
They caught Chiefs off guard in the 31st minute when Ishmael Amponsah received the ball on the edge of the box. His left footed shot, however, went narrowly wide off the posts.
Chiefs nearly opened the lead in the last minute of the first half following good interchange of passes and Malvern Moyo did all that was expected only to be denied by Holy Ghost goalkeeper, Ditebelo.
In the second half, both sides tried to penetrate each other’s defence in search of an goal but it was Magosi who found the back of the net through Kufigwa who rose high to
head home from Mampori’s corner kick. Holy Ghost pushed numbers forward in search of an equaliser but were let down by their poor decision making in the final third.
They felt hard done by the referee in the dying minutes of the game when it appeared like Chiefs’ defender handled the ball inside the box but the referee waved play-on. Chiefs have now cut the lead between them and Holy Ghost to two points with two round of matches remaining. In the last two matches, Holy Ghost will play against Matebejana and Taung Young Strikers while Chiefs take on Red Sparks and Motaung Young Fighters. Third placed Black Forest on the other hand will play against Uniao Flamengo Santos ad Matebele FC.
The teams: Holy Ghost:
Onkamogetse Ditebelo, Ofentse Chitutu, Kenosi Semako, Kgomotso Kgopegang, Thabang Khuduga, Teddy Gunda (Boemo Lekorwe), Basimanebitlhe Kamogelo, Mpho Petros, Ishmael Amponsah, Atamelang Mangadi, Patrick Dikgang
Chiefs: Tshenolo Letshelea, Maatla Magosha, Gomotsang Tselaesele, Bokamoso Mbambo, Donald Rapulane, Arnold Mampori, Malvern Moyo (Ishmael Metlhaleng), Alfred Gopolang, Oarabile Powe (Thapelo Tlhase), Khumoetsile Kufigwa,
Emmanuel Thabe