20 Mar 2023

Kuka Ntsu, as Matebele are fondly known in football circles, have kept their title ambitions alive with a 1-0 victory against URI Black Forest.

Playing under soaring temperatures at the Black Forest Park in Mmankgodi on March 18, Matebele fought against a precise stubborn opponent to keep themselves in the race for the closely contested top spot of the Debswana First Division South League table.

With only seven games left until the curtain closes on the league campaign, Matebele recorded impressive record in the second round of the campaign.

A well-timed Kemoreng Batshani finish with five minutes remaining on the clock were enough to push Matebele to pole position.

Despite the scorching heat, the game did not produce any warmth in the first period with little action in front of goal from both sides.

Buoyed by a handful of supporters on the western side of the ground, Magoleng as Black Forest are known, caused more problems for the visitors as they looked for an opening goal.

Magoleng were back in the contest in the second half piling more pressure with several speculative shots outside the box.

On one hand, Matebele’s hardworking midfielder Moeteledi Ditshweu hit a teasing shot outside the box that nearly silenced the vociferous fans but was comfortably parried off target by Emmanuel Poonyane.

Magoleng’s top man, Thabo Motlhabane had many wasted opportunities towards the end of regulation time.

He fluffed Terrance Mandaza’s teasing pass before shooting straight to advancing Matebele goal minder Kenalemang Neo.

With five minutes remaining on the clock, Matebele launched a fatal attack from the middle of the park.

A well-timed header was comfortably dealt with by Poonyane but was let down by his defenders who failed to clear the lines allowing Batshani to tap into the top net and claim all the three points. 

Close rivals Crackit City Pollar, Notwane and Mochudi Centre Chiefs are breathing heavily on Matebele’s necks and would need nothing but maximum points in their remaining fixtures.

Crackit City Pollar failed to find the back of the net in their home fixture against Young Stars who are also fighting to skip into the top four bracket.

Chiefs travelled to the Holy Ghost Park and a Khumoetsile Kufigwa strike gave Chiefs maximum points against relegation threatened Matebejana. ends