Mosakeng, 23
Two first half goals, including one in the first minute, proved to be the difference as Kick4Life narrowly lost their opening premier league match, against champions Bantu, by a single goal.
Monne Pitso, Tokelo Majoro, Thabiso Brown and 17 year old Lesia Thetsane, all made their Kick4Life debuts, as Kick4Life went in search of an unlikely victory against last year’s Premier League Champions.
It was a dreadful start for the newly promoted side, as they found themselves behind in the opening minute of the match. A mix up resulted in Ramatsoso Mopeli slipping, and the ball was laid off to MABARE, who finished expertly in the top corner from 20 yards.
Kick4Life looked to respond and Majoro was seeing a lot of the ball early on. However, it was Motlalepula Chabeli, who had the visitors first shot on goal, but his 25 yard effort was gathered by the Mokhesi in the host’s goal.
Bantu were applying the early pressure, as Kick4Life appeared a little overawed in their opening premier league fixture and the visitors made made their first change on 22 minutes with Teboho Monare replacing debutant Monne Pitso at left-back.
However just moments later, Bantu doubled their lead. A corner wasn’t cleared properly and the hosts hit the post with a shot on goal, and with the defence slow to react to the rebound, MOSAKENG was first to the ball to finish from the edge of the area.
Kick4Life slowly began to grow in to the game as the half went on, with the last fifteen minutes proving to be more even, but neither side could really threaten a third goal of the game.
Half-time: Bantu 2 Kick4Life 0
The home side went in search of a third goal, which would kill off the game, and came close twice early in the second half, with Mokhanya showing why he is pushing for a national team call up, with two fine saves.
Kick4Life now began to really come in to the game and started to take control, pegging their opponents back in to their own half. Robert Mekomba was having a fine game in midfield and Majoro was looking lively, trying to get on the ball at every opportunity.
Kick4Life continued to pile on the pressure and were dominating proceddings. Brown used his strength to beat the full back on a couple of occasions, but nobody was on hand to convert his balls in to the box.
Kick4Life made their third change with 20 minutes remaining when Morapeli Lesoetsa came on for the impressive Majoro.
Lesoetsa’s introduction made a difference with the 18 year old, who had a trial with FC Cape Town during pre-season, looking dangerous. Kick4Life’s pressure finally told with thirteen minutes remaining with a fine goal by debutant BROWN. Mekomba found the under 20 international striker with a good ball, and he finished brilliantly from the far side of the penalty box, giving Mokhesi no chance.
The goal gave Kick4Life renewed hope of being able to take something away from Mafeteng and twice came close to leveling in the closing stages, with Brown and Chabeli getting good efforts on goal, with their efforts narrowly missing the target.
Bantu were relieved to hear the final whistle and get their title defence off to a winning start, but they were certainly given a huge scare by premier league new boys Kick4Life, whose youthful side will look to build on their excellent second half performance and prove that they belong at premier league level.
Full-time: Bantu 2 Kick4Life 1
Line up: Mokhanya, Ntaote, Thamahane, Mopeli, Pitso (Monare 22), Mekomba, Mokhele (Ramafikeng 46), Majoro (Lesoetsa 70), Thetsane, Chabeli, Brown. Subs not used: Moabi, Molotsi, Lelakane, Sethuntsa, Mabetha, Mafisa
Goal: Brown (77)
Man of Match: Ntaote
