Matlama cruise past Kick4Life

Moorosi Tsiane

MATLAMA proved too tough an opponent for Kick4Life as they came from a goal down to comfortably sail to a 3-1 win at LCS Ground yesterday.

Yesterday’s win saw the Sea-point outfit cementing their place at the top of the 14-team league table to moving to 44 points from 41. They now enjoy a four points’ lead ahead of LCS who clash with LDF at Ratjomose ground today.

Motebang Sera was the hero on the day scoring a brace for Tse Putsoa while Jane Thabantso scored the third goal. Kick4Life’s goal came from Lepekola Seetane.

Matlama were first to threaten on the 15^th minute as Mabuti Potloane saw his shot from inside the penalty area saved for a corner by defender Seeiso Lerotholi.

Kick4Life were committing too many mistakes at the back and were nearly punished on the 20^th minute by Potloane from a long range short after a communication breakdown between defender Moruti Thamahane and his goalkeeper. However, they survived the scare after Potloane’s shot narrowly missed the target.

It was however, Kick4Life who broke the deadlock with their first attack when Seetane intercepted John Mohai’s back pass to goalkeeper Kananelo Makhooane. He sublimely chipped over Makhooane to put his side in the lead.

But their happiness was shot-lived as Sera levelled the matters for Matlama a minute later from Bushy Moletsane’s pass.

Five minutes before the break, Matlama took the lead for the first time in the match as Sera headed home from Thabantšo’s cross after another blunder by Thamahane and his goalkeeper.

Sera could have scored a hat-trick in the first half but was unfortunate as his well curled shot from inside the penalty area hit the cross bar on the half time mark. The Likuena striker received the ball from Potloane in a counter attack and took his time cut inside and unleash a wonderful shot.

Kick4Life made a substitute immediately after the break, introducing Rasetabele Kalosane for Teboho Lekhooa who was having a bad game.

However, Kalosane didn’t bring any change to the match as Matlama continued to dominate.

Sera was once again denied a hat-trick but this time it was the assistant referee Puleng Mahomo who flagged him for offside after the striker easily tapped in from Thetsane’s parry on the 55^th minute.

The home side continued to struggle at the back failing to connect but somehow were determined to keep starting their attack from the back despite consistently losing possession.

It didn’t take them long to commit another mistake from the back as Thamahane’s back pass to Thetsane was intercepted by Sera who passed to Thabantšo who in turn converted to seal the win for his side on the 64^th minute.

Kick4Life made their second substitute taking off Ralekoti Mokhahlane for Liteboho Nkune on the 66^th minute.

Three minutes later, Matlama made their first substitute introducing Reitumetsi Linkoane for Moletsane.

Kick4Life’s last change saw Bonang Mohapi making way for Obakeng Modirwa on the 76^th minute while Matlama introduced Makume Theletsane and Moteloa KHemisi for Potloane and Thabantso on the 80^th and 85^th minute respectively.

Matlama coach Thabile Secker applauded his charges for showing character even after conceding first.

“I am happy with how we played because we continued to fight even after we conceded and I could see for the rest of the match that they were all fighting and most importantly, unlike last week they converted the chances they created,” Secker said.

Secker admitted that yesterday’s result enhanced their chances at winning the league title.

“It is good that we won and the three points will come in handy as they have given us hope but also, we don’t have to forget that there are also other teams who are on the same mission like us,” Secker said.

For his part, Kick4Life coach Bob Mafoso said he was disappointed with his players’ attitude.

“To win a game you need your players’ attitude to be on track and unfortunately it was not the case with us because we kept on playing in a way which we were not comfortable with it and their confidence dropped. It was one of those games where our back line was poor,” Mafoso said.

Commenting on his team’s recent slump in performance that saw them losing two consecutive matches, Mafoso said: “It is not the first time that we are in this situation this season”.

“We have recovered before. However, it is important now is to go back to the drawing board and see where we got it wrong and build from there.”

Elsewhere, Sefotha-fotha and LMPS drew 1-1 at PTC Ground while Likhopo edged Majantja 1-0 at Mohale’s Hoek DIFA Ground.

Galaxy added on to Swallows’ woes beating them 1-0 at Maputsoe DIFA Ground.