It was a mix of relief and jubilation all round at Olën Park yesterday afternoon (24 April) when NWU Tawana beat Captain Eleven FC 2-1 in their ABC Motsepe League match.

An equaliser from NWU captain, Patrick Lebitsa and a winner from Falakhe “Flakes” Phonoshe was enough to seal victory in a physical contest. The NWU though had numerous opportunities to put the game far beyond reach of Captain Eleven but a lack of finishing, as well as a couple of disallowed goals kept the game close.

Captain Eleven even stunned the hosts when they scored the opener after a defensive lapse put Basimane Motaung to give the visitors the lead. NWU though kept the pressure on with livewire winger, Ranonyane Mmutlane and Thabang Matlhoko creating most of the opportunities.  

Tsebishi Sekgitla was once again on top of his game defensively in the middle of the park. He thought he scored NWU’s first goal, but the referee ruled that there was a foul in the box.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

It was Lebitsa though who took his chance in the box as he finished a sweet left footed strike to put NWU back on level terms just before half-time. That was just the confidence boost that the Tawana boys needed, as they kept applying the same pressure in the second half.

Matlhoko has two terrific chances to find the winner, but all his hard work was let down by his finishing. The NWU were not going to be denied and Phonoshe took his opportunity with a neat finish into the bottom corner. The goal highlighted his good shielding of the ball from the defender as well as a swift turn and shot that gave the keeper no chance. The final 10 minutes was quite nervy for NWU head coach, Michael Seleka and his coaching staff as they had to calm their team down.

Numerous long balls went to waste, and they struggled to keep possession of the ball, which in turn put their defense under pressure.

Captain Eleven naturally relished this as they took corner after corner and kept possession just outside the box for long periods. NWU though kept their nerve and character during stoppage time, which might have felt like an eternity, to seal the three points.

Seleka was happy with the win but also pointed out that the match could’ve ended more comfortably in his side’s favour.

“Guys played well, they stuck to the plan to defend high balls and play our possession game but I’m disappointed with a few defensive errors and rushing to load the balls upfront.  Maybe we could have been more patient than just loading forward,” he stated.

NWU Tawana next play TUT in a crunch away encounter on Wednesday, 28 April. Seleka emphasised that his team will need to prepare well against the team that beat them previously 3-2.

“Going to TUT game, we need to work on defensive cover with high balls. Also we need to look at defending crosses better, ball orientation and pressing as well as our being more creative going forward and finishing our chances.”