Sehloi and Nkoro draw in Mabocha final

A dull draw between local soccer giants Nkoro and Sehloi FC left soccer lovers with little to cheer about. The two teams participated in the recent Mabocha’s weekly tournament final held at the Sehloi sports ground.

Sehloi took control in the first half of the game, scoring in the 30th minute, through midfielder Lefa Lesese who capitalised on a blunder by the Nkoro defence to coolly slot his first goal in the Sehloi colours to give the home team a one-nil lead before the interval.

Six minutes before the break, Arendse Mokgotho of Sehloi produced a fierce strike, running onto the ball from 30 metres out, but it drifted wide.

Nkoro found their feet in the second half pressing for an equaliser. The visitors launched wave after wave of attack but could not find the initiative in the final third and were unable to breach the Sehloi defence.

The Sehloi team meanwhile, sat back and settled for occasional counter-attacking football.

With about 10 minutes remaining midfielder Given Gwebu went down inside the penalty area, after he was tackled by Ruldoph Mafane. Maduna Makine capitalised, and scored from a spot kick to equalise for the visitors, he sent the Sehloi keeper Nkota Matshaba the wrong way.

Shortly after, a Tahlego Maphanga corner found Makine unmarked at the far post but the speedy midfielder could not keep his shot on target. Sehloi were awarded a free kick in the closing stages of the game but Mokoni Mabunele fluffed the ball high.

In the dying stages, Morris Maphanga was left with time and space in the middle, on the edge of the penalty area, and his strike was heading for the back of the net but Sechabe pulled off a stunning full-length dive to deny the hosts the win.

The match ended with a 1-1 draw, the date of the replay has not yet been announced.

In the early Matches Sehloi defeated Swallows FC 4-3 on penalties after a stalemate draw while Nkoro also vanquished Bump Jive by 6-5, after both teams failed to score in normal time.