Moorosi Tsiane/Moeketsi Bataung
DESIRE Olomo’s lone goal against Lijabatho yesterday was enough to help Sefotha-fotha bounce back from their last weekend lose to Bantu.
The Mabote outfit broke the deadlock 15 minutes into the match with Olomo tapping-in a rebound from Thabo Mafatle’s set piece that had struck the cross bar.
Lijabatho tried to get back into the match but poor finishing and decision making worked against them.
Mahala, as the league new comers are affectionately known, enjoyed lost of possession throughout the first half but rarely posed any threat to their opponents.
The match went for the break with Olomo’s goal still separating the two sides.
The second half started on a low tempo with sitting to defend their lead.
Lijabatho continued to enjoy possession but were slow in attack and failed to harm their opponents.
Desperate for an equaliser Lijabato made their first change introducing Letlotlo Nthabane for Tšokolo Nyamatsane on 65 minutes. The second change followed five minutes later with Retšelisitsoe Mopeli making way for Philip Obrien. The side’s last change was made three minutes later when Rasetabele Kalosane came in for Thabiso Malakane on 73 minutes.
However, the changes didn’t make any difference as Lijabatho continued to play casually inside their own half.
Sefotha-fotha ended the match one man down as defender Thabo Mphoso handed a second yellow for time wasting five minutes before time.
The home side made its second change three minutes before the final whistle with Thapelo Fako coming in for injured Mokoma.
Sefotha-fotha coach Mothobi Molebatsi said the win was a result of the hard work they have put in following their last weekend loss.
“It is not always easy on the field so we knew that we had to bounce back from last weekend’s loss where we got some of the things wrong tactically,” Mothobi said.
“However, we worked on our problems and I am happy with the results.”
Mothobi was quick to point out that his side should immediately forget the win and prepare for the next match.
“We have won and we are happy but we are over this match. We must focus on our next match. Today’s result is in the past and now we have to look for more results in future games,” Mothobi said.
Lijabatho assistant coach Tšepo Mokhele blamed lack of luck for his side’s loss.
“As a new team in the league, losing is a big challenge to us. However, this is just the beginning and we cannot say that we have lost. Neither can anyone else say so we have lost at the moment. This is what you encounter in football.
“We controlled the game well but we simply failed to score. We had a good overall performance. We found chances early in the game but we were unable to convert them into goals.
“They found a similar chance as ours and were able to capitalise on it and the game was over,” Mokhele said.
Elsewhere, Linare drew two-all with LDF at Maputsoe DIFA ground. The match between Likhopo and debutants Lifofane ended with goalless at LCS Ground.
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