Mqondisi Dube
13 January 2009
Selebi-Phikwe — Nico United were left to rue a glut of missed chances as they went down 3-1 against Francistown side, Great North Tigers (GNT) in a Be Mobile Premier League match played here on Saturday.
Nico, who went into the match mourning the death of their goalkeeper, Chrispen Nyamutambo, created numerous goal scoring opportunities which the strikers failed to convert. Instead, it was GNT that walked away with the three points after two early goals and a third in the second half inflicted Majombolo's fourth consecutive defeat. The loss means Nico United remain rooted in the relegation zone with only four points from six games. GNT took advantage of erratic defending from the home side and went ahead as early as the second minute, with forward, Aneso Gondo opening the scoring. It got worse in the fifth minute for Majombolo when the visitors increased their lead, with Gondo grabbing his brace.
Nico then tried hard to get into the game and reduced the deficit in the 11th minute. GNT goalkeeper Lorato Keamogetswe spilled Master Masitara's well-taken free kick and Owen Baruti was on hand to flash the ball home. Gondo then missed an opportunity to grab his hat-trick when he beat United's offside trap but keeper Murambiwa Ndlovu saved his tame effort. Nico were jittery at the back with the usually reliable Gosetsemang 'Laedza' Baruti, a bundle of nerves.
New Nico signing Shephard Mosekgwa was a calming influence at the back but limped off in the first half with an ankle injury. In the 28th minute, Owen Baruti could have equalised for the home side but failed to capitalise on Kemogetswe's mistake. The GNT goalkeeper did not look comfortable as he spilled most of the shots. It was an open game with both teams attacking. However, the game exposed the deficiency in quality as the two teams missed easy chances.
Referee Joshua Bondo was found wanting in the first half with dubious decisions but had a firm grip in the last 45 minutes. Kabelo Kadisa escaped with only a yellow card for a flying two-footed lunge on Nico defender Moagedi '44' Tsametse when a red card looked appropriate. Nico continued to fluff chances, to the chagrin of their supporters. Eric Molebatsi, Owen Baruti, Ronnie Mpatane and captain Thobo 'Fish' Kgoboge were largely ineffective in the first stanza. In the dying stages of the first half, Tefo Molefe's blistering drive shaved the woodwork on its way out with Keamogetswe a spectator.
The second half took off as the first had begun. GNT killed off the contest two minutes after restart with the oustanding, Barulaganye 'Shoes' Radiakanye connecting beautifully from a corner kick. Radiakanye was back to haunt Ndlovu in the 52nd minute but this time, the goalkeeper produced a save from the top shelf. Then GNT started asserting their dominance on the match, playing some neat football. In one well orchestrated move, Gondo released Radiakanye whose thumping shot found Ndlovu alert. Gondo, Radiakanye and Keabetswe Batunda ran rings around the opposition all afternoon. Martin Mathangwane was brilliant in defence, frustrating Nico's attempts to get back into the game.
The home side created more than a dozen gilt edged chances but failed to convert with Masitara, Kgoboge, Odumetse Rakoma and Molefe all guilty. Nico new coach Guston Mutobo's figure appeared lost, while his opposite number, Seth Moleofhi looked calm as his side pocketed maximum points.
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