Limpopo Soccer Challenge


Peter Mokaba Stadium


Polokwane, Limpopo Province


Sunday 15th July 2007


15h30


Playing Conditions: Warm, light wind, temperature at kick off 23°C

Kaizer Chiefs lost in dramatic circumstances in their first official pre-season game on Sunday afternoon, when they were unable to retain their Limpopo Soccer Challenge title they won a year ago.

They lost on penalty kicks to Black Leopards at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on a warm and sunny afternoon in Polokwane. Late in regulation time, Chiefs could have won the game, but Leopards goalkeeper Mashudu Mamphitha pulled out a save from the top draw as he produced a superb one handed save to deny Serge Djiehoua from heading Chiefs into the lead.

With the teams deadlocked, the dreaded penalty shoot out loomed and it was Leopards who prevailed converting all five of their kicks while Derrick Spencer was the unfortunate party on the side of The Amakhosi as he had his spot kick saved by Mamphitha.

Quiet first half:

With both teams having just recently resumed their pre-season preparations it was always going to be a case of running out the rust and getting into the right gear, as this match was supposed to afford both teams with the opportunity to find form and fitness. The first forty five minutes failed to produce much goal mouth action with perhaps the best chances of the half going the way of Leopards, in the twenty seventh minute Emile Baron was able to deal with the a volley on the turn by Leopards Mayisislane Baron got across goal and smothered the ball. Some neat inter passing saw Leopards create a way towards the Chiefs goal a well floated cross field ball form Eric Ramavhale on the right found team mate Fisher Kondwe lurking on the left edge of the Chiefs 18 yard area. Kondwe controlled the ball turned his marker but unfortunately for all his initial good work he was unable to control his shot and hit the ball high and wide.

Bhasera a natural:

Amakhosi coach Muhsin Ertugral tested out a number of new players on Sunday which included the likes of Mandla Masango, Markus Bocsker, Tshepo Bulu, Onismor Bhasera and Siphiwe Tshabalala.

The star performer of the new boys on Sunday has to be Onismor Bhasera the young Zimbabwean international looked composed and a natural fit in the left back position, as he easily kept at bay Leopards experienced striker Myron Shongwe.

Apart from showing off his skills as a defender Bhasera was also given free reign to attack and helped launch a number of attacks down the left flank for The Amakhosi, and could so easily have played the leading hand in setting up a goal for Chiefs in injury time at the end of the game. Bhasera used his speed in the 94th minute to out pace the leopards defence and curled in a cross from the left towards the Leopards goal, Serge Djiehoua met the cross with his head but some how and miraculously so Leopards keeper Mamphtiha was able to stretch across goal and ensured that the game would go to a shoot out.

Goalkeeping dual:

Another plus for Chiefs from Sunday’s game was the performance of goalkeepers Emile Baron and Markus Bocsker, Baron played the first 45 minutes while Bocsker completed the game and was between the sticks for the shoot out.

Baron displayed some of the form which had once tipped him to be the future national team goalie, as he started a competitive match for the first time in 18 months as he was side lined since May 2006 with a number of shoulder related injuries. Baron displayed the confidence and charisma of a true professional as he marshalled his 18 yard area like a general in battle, as early as the 2nd minute Baron was demonstrating that he is going to fight all the way for the starting place in goals. As he raced out of his goal mouth and cleared the ball away from the onrushing Walter Ramulondi, with a decisive scissors kick after just two minutes of play.

In the second half Baron was replaced by Markus Bocsker who kept up the clean sheet for The Amakhosi with a number of telling saves, including a one handed tip over in the 68th minute, as he got in the way of an in swinging cross from Fisher Kondwe from the left.

Penalty shoot out defeat:

As neither team was able to break the deadlock after 90 minutes penalties were required to decide who would walk away with the 2007 Limpopo Challenge Trophy, Chiefs were first to kick off the spot kicks and had a poor start as Derrick Spencer’s kick was saved by Mamphitha. Masango, Djiehoua, Mathebula and Ngobese then brought Chiefs back into the game as they converted their kicks the real drama of the shoot out was left to Leopards final kick which Bocsker needed to save. Which he duly did as he guessed correctly and divided to his left to stop Mayisislane’s kick, the only problem was that he moved before the kick was taken and a retake was ordered. At the second time of asking Mayisislane sent the keeper the wrong way and handed Leopards the trophy.

Starting eleven:

Kaizer Chiefs: 30. Emile Baron, 2. Jimmy Tau, 3. Onismor Bhasera, 4. Cyril Nzama, 8. Tinashe Nengomasha, 27. Gerald Sibeko, 12. Thabo Mooki, 18. Arthur Zwane, 21. Patrick Mayo, 23. Tshepo Bulu, 31. David Radebe

Coach: Muhsin Ertugral


Assistant Coach: Fani Madida

Cautions: 2. Jimmy Tau Yellow Card 83 min

Substitutions:

In 1. Markus Bocsker, Out: 30. Emile Baron 46 min


In: 28. Derrick Spencer, Out: 8. Tinashe Nengomasha 46min


In: 27. Gerald Sibeko, Out: 24. David Mathebula 46 min


In: 11. Emmanuel Ngobese, Out: 12. Thabo Mooki 46 min


In: 9. Serge Djiehoua, Out: 31. David Radebe 46 min


In: 14. Siphiwe Tshabalala, Out: 23. Tshepo Bulu 70 min


In: 22. Mandla Masango, Out: 18. Arthur Zwane 76 min

Substitutes not used: 26. Thuso Phala, 33. Ditheko Mototo

Black Leopards: 1. Mashudu Mamphitha, 17. Wanani Mulaudzi, 5. Eric Ramavhale,

7. Peter Mponda, 18. Lubanzadio Mayisislane, 8. Hmhlompho Kekana, 20. Jabulani Maluleke, 2. Fisher Kondowe, 6. Myron Shongwe, 19. W. Ramulondi, 12. T. Hlalele

Cautions: 15. Sibusiso Dlamini Yellow Card 89 min

Coach: Boebie Solomons


Assistant Coach: Ramadhan Nzouzou

Substitutions:


In: 10. Robert Ngambi, Out: 12. T. Hlalele 60 min


In: 22. Solly Masango, Out: 19. Walter Ramulondi


In: 15. Sibusiso Dlaminin, Out: 6. Myron Shongwe 70 min


In: 16. Paulo Matola, Out: 17. Wanani Mulaudzi 76 min


In: 11. Christopher Netshidzivhe, Out: 2. Fisher Kondowe

Substitutes not used: 31. Ephraim Shongwe, 4. Tornado Mdngale, 14. Doctor Ntimbani, 3. Hartman Toromba, 21. Buhle Maphumulo, 32. P. Nemabaka


Match Officials:


Referee: Jonas Nhlapho


Assistant 1: Sandile Dilikane


Assistant 2: Peter Rabophara


Match Commissioner: Nare Frans Sekwaila