 Santos and Chiefs in Coke final
The final of the prestigious Coca Cola tournament is scheduled for the national stadium on Saturday. The finals will feature two teams that have never won the cup or let alone reaching the finals of the tournament before. Over the weekend the two teams reached the finals after winning their semi final games through penalty shoot outs.
Supporters’ aspirations of seeing Mochudi teams battling it out in the finals were shattered after the Gabane based Uniao Flamengo Santos beat Mochudi Buffaloes on penalties.
The game between the two had ended in two all draw after normal time. Buffaloes drew blood first through David Tsheko on the 23rd minute of the game. With the minnows on the driving seat, Santos tried hard to stamp their authority by knocking the ball around, as they have made that their trademark. Santos had most of the ball possession and made use of it. Just when people thought the game will go to recess with first Division team, Mochudi Buffuloes, leading, Santos tried and tested striker, Kgosietsile Parker Mampori, equalized to the jubilation of the few Gabane supporters 7 minutes later.
Soon after recess, Santos extended the lead three minutes into the second half through their wonderkid, Mogakolodi Ngele. The goal did not demoralize wounded Buffaloes and they pressed for an equalizer. Santos goal keeper, Boikhutso Magowe was lucky not to have been given matching orders after handling the ball outside the box. Botshelo Letsholo’s goal towards the end of the game gave his team a chance to fight it in the penalties. Buffaloes’ dreams were shattered in the penalties when they went down 6 – 5 on.
Still with the Coke tournament, Mochudi Centre Chiefs were lucky again to have reached the finals after a disappointing afternoon. Magosi were held to goalless draw by the premier league newcomers Naughty Boys. The game between the two was boring with less constructive passes. Both created minimal scoring chances and it was no surprise for the game to be determined on penalties. Chiefs number one goal keeper Noah Maposa saved the last penalty to help his team secure a place in the finals for the first time since coke cup started in 1991.
Contacted for comment chiefs Coach Beston Chambesi was delighted for his team’s progress. “I am a happy coach for helping Chiefs reach the finals for the first time. I am also happy for my boys and the supporters” added the thankful coach. He said he was not disappointed for Naughty boys to have held them to a goalless draw after 90 minutes because the team has beaten big team before. He further said he is optimistic that he will win the finals and he hoped his injured players will be back.
Santos Public Relations Officer sent a warning to Chiefs not to think that they will win the cup. “The fact that we have reached the final shows that we are determined. We have set our mind on the final,” said Santos spokesperson Matthews “JJ” Mookodi.
He said they won’t be any special treatment for the game as they treat every game as it comes. He encouraged Santos supporters to come in large numbers to make it easy for the team to wrap the game on time.
Chiefs dominance will be put to test and Santos is the only team which has a meaningful chance to stop them before the season starts. Chiefs will be going into the finals to make a double, save for the Kabelano Charity cup as it not an official tournament.
The team that wins will play in the CAF cup with other African giants. We expect the coke slogan of real flair to prevail in the tournament as both teams are capable of playing flowing and entertaining football on their day. The winner will go home with a big cheque of P120 000 and the runners up will get P90 000 with gold and silver medals respectively.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
