We came back from a goal down at home against the CWJ Masters on July 30, 2023, at Bonamelo.
Mandla Smindlo Matomane saved a point for us in the last stages of the affair. “Cracker boy,” he says, there’s ice in my veins.” Mduduzi Ta-Mdu Sithebe, his coach and fellow player, agrees with him when he adds, “Smindlo is as cool as a cucumber.”.
“Moments before that, Paul Bricks Lekgetho saved the team’s blushes shortly before Fish dribbled the defence and placed it on the plate for Mindlo to equalise,” the coach added.
We had been down since the first half. Early in the first half, CWJ scored the game’s first goal.
That roused up the Obaba, who returned with fire in search of an equaliser.
At halftime, no substitutions were made since the technical crew was still confident in the starting lineup.
Mduduzi Bra-Mdu Masiba was to be replaced by Mandla Poposhie Mlangeni, his scoring partner from the previous encounter, as the game proceeded.
The objective of holding the opponents at bay while we looked for an equaliser was clear.
Smindlo found an equaliser, which was unavoidable. Unfortunately, it was too late for us.
Only five players returned from the previous week’s lineup.
In the absence of Nkosingiphile Mphile Mdlanyoka and Sizwe Barnes Buthelezi, Thabo Sthibo Swart and Bhekinkosi Thandeka patched themselves in at the back.
Bra-Mdu, our goal scorer from last week’s game, is the only one who escaped the chopping block. He especially welcomes Molatudi Fish Malahlela, who was last seen in the starting lineup and scored against Mahenyahenya Football Club.
Smindlo and Tumi Chicken Ndlovu summed up the four men in the middle for the day. With the two of them in the centre holding it.
Sibusiso Sbugazi Ngema, our reigning Man of the Match, was in the starting lineup for the fourth time in a row.
Maxwell Mexican Chillie Mokgatle, who came in as a substitute seven days ago, is with him. Our two deadly men have scored a total of eight goals.
Mexican-Chillie is responsible for five of the goals.
“Gents, I just want to thank you all for coming out in this cold weather and fighting again,” remarked our captain, Tshepo Ngwana Bitsoane. “Also, while it wasn’t what we had hoped for, it was better than nothing.” He added.
“Wishing you a speedy recovery, guys,” he said, as he hoped well for our wounded players. He ended it with “Salute, Fathers.” We are getting better by the day.”
It would have been tough for some to get out of bed in the morning. But in this frigid 5° weather, that was not an option for us. Fighting off the blankets was the first step in fighting for the points.
That challenge was won by us and our ardent supporters. We are grateful!
Moving on to the next one, Molapo Masters.
Obaba Babo
