By: Lilemo Matlotlo
Bantu Football Club known as A Matšo Matebele had thumped Sefothafotha 2-0 on opening game of 2019/2020 Econet Premier League campaign last Sunday at Setsoto Stadium.
Bantu FC collected three points and two goals after they have played a single game of the league campaign, surfaced into second position of the log standings.
On their encounter with Sefothafotha, A matšo Matebele came out firing in few minutes after a kickoff, with Tšoanelo Koetle and Litšepe Marabe combining perfect passes in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Bantu’s Itumeleng Falene was very dangerous at a right wing. He was doing numerous movements in the final third and delivering deep crosses, but Sefothafotha’s defence was too solid to be penetrated at the back.
Bantu FC could have got opening goal within a half an hour mark of the first half after creating a number of goal scoring opportunities but they failed to capitalize on them.
However, Hlompho Kaleke broke a deadlock for A Matšo Matebele in the closing minutes of the first stanza. He just tapped it in on one-on-one situation with goalkeeper following a world-class pass by Lazola Jokojokwana.
In the opening minutes of the second half Bob Mafoso’s Bantu came out with their pace fired up once again when Lazola nodded at a back post to double their lead after a wonderful cross from Kalake.
Afterwards Lehlohonolo Fothoane could have made it 3-0 for A Matšo Matebele as he won a ball from Sefothafotha’s defender just outside the box but his cracker was saved by the goalkeeper.
Sefothafotha came close to find their first goal in 65th minute when Mokoma Teboho who came in as a substitute dribbled pass Bantu’s goalkeeper though his strike was cleared over the goal-line by Patrick Nyarko.
In the dying minutes of closing stanza Bantu FC was awarded a penalty following Makhetha Karabo’s hand ball in the box, but Fothoane missed it.
After a game Sefofotha’s head Coach Mr. Molebatsi Mothobi told Lesotho Sports Blizz that it was a game that they could have won or lost depending on how his team played in line with their preparations.
Mothobi said at some points his team played according to the game plan while they also failed to comply with a game plan at some time.
“We have to go back to the drawing board to rectify our mistakes and also make our players to get use to our game plan,” he charged.
He explains that they conceded unnecessary goals because there were too many spaces which formed a gateway to give their opponents access to hurt them.
Mothobi concluded that they will go back and prepare because they are aiming to win their next games.
On the other hand Bantu FC head coach Mr. Bob Mafoso said he was happy with his side’s performance but admitted that they failed to convert their scoring chances.
He added that they prepared well during preseason games, although one of his key players Lindokuhle Phungulwa got injured. But he said he will see on how to work with the squad he has.
Lesotho Sports Blizz 