Moorosi Tsiane
NEW signing, Josef Lekata, scored his first goal in his second match to rescue a point for Lioli as they played out a 1-all stalemate with Kick4Life in an Econet Premier League match played at LCS Ground yesterday.
The Teyateyaneng outfit have now failed to win in three consecutive matches under new mentor Morena Ramorebodi who assumed the reins last month.
Ramorebodi’s first match ended goalless against Matlama and this was followed by the 0-1 defeat by LDF last weekend in Teyateyaneng.
Yesterday, Kick4Life almost drew first blood with a well taken set piece from just outside the penalty area by Bokang Mothoana but Lioli goalkeeper, Sebaka Maseko, did well to push out the ball for a corner 10 minutes into the match.
Midfielder, Tšepang Ntšenyane, headed home Mothoana’s resultant corner to put the home side in the lead.
Lioli did not sit back as they pushed for an equaliser and they came close four minutes later when Lekhanya Lekhanya received the ball from Bushy Moletsane but he shot straight at goalkeeper, Sele Thetsane.
Tse Nala could have equalised on the 20 minutes but once again Thetsane stood firm and pushed out Moletsane’s strike outside the penalty arch for a corner.
Kick4Life were also fighting back, attempting to feed their target man, Nkoto Masoabi, who was a menace to Lioli backline. However, the towering striker lacked support from his teammates as most of times he found himself isolated.
Moletsane eventually worked his magic on the half hour mark to help Lioli to level matters.
The veteran playmaker skinned two Kick4Life defenders before beating the goalkeeper and passing to Lekata for an easy tap into an open goal.
Kick4Life midfielder, Fidel Ndoya, could restored Kick4Life’s lead a minute before the half time break but the Congolese was unfortunate to see his free header shave the upright.
Lioli came back from the break better of the two sides and Lekhanya could have put them in the lead for the first time but he shot straight at the goalkeeper on 52 minutes.
Kick4Life then introduced Mokoteli Mohapi for Norman Kumatse on 59 minutes in a desperate attempt to neutralise the rampant Lioli midfield.
Lioli followed suit five minutes when they brought on speedy winger, Montoeli Sonopo, for Lekhanya. Kick4Life made their second substitute introducing Bonang Mohapi for Ndoya.
Obakeng Modirwa also came on for Lioli in place of Thabiso Mohapi.
The substitutes didn’t make much difference to the match whose tempo gradually subsided.
Kick4Life made their last substitute pulling off Ntšenyane for Tšiu Moorosi on 77 minutes while Lioli introduced striker, Tšepo Lekhooana, for Tumelo Khutlang in the 83rd minute.
In the end both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.
In the post-match interview, Ramorebodi admitted that his charges were struggling but said they were getting better with each match.
“For a team to win they have to be on a right level and unfortunately for us some individuals were not at their best so it affected how we wanted to play,” Ramorebodi said.
“We lost too much possession and most of the times in the wrong areas and that made it hard for us to play because our strength is keeping the ball. So if we don’t protect the ball we can’t play.
“It is the work in progress so I believe that we will get it right. It is also true that we have already lost seven out of possible nine points we could have collected in the three matches we have played but you must understand that there are issues we need to get right before we can win a match.”
Kick4Life coach, Leslie Notši, said he was not satisfied with the result.
“I am not happy with the result because I believe we have had to get maximum points. But at the same time we have to give the boys credit that we created those chances which we failed to convert,” Notši said.
Elsewhere, Majantja added to Likhopo woes beating them 2-0 in the first match of the double header at Ratjomose Ground. This was followed by the LDF-LCS clash which finished 1-all.
Rethabile Rasethuntsa continued with his fine form as his solitary goal helped Linare beat struggling Liphakoe 1-0 at Maputsoe DIFA Ground.
Matlama beat the relegation-threatened Sky Battalion 2-0 at PTC Ground to cement their second place on the log.
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