Gauteng FC's Ramotsepa Nthite (red) tussles for the ball in the goalmouth with Soweto Panthers keeper, Tumelo matsunyane.
Gauteng FC stand-in coach Sihle ‘uMapholoba’ Ngcobo has blamed Christmas indulgance by his players for a 2–3 drubbing by Soweto Panthers.
Speaking after their first Sab League game at the Alexandra Stadium after the Christmas break, Mapholoba blamed fitness levels of his players on their Christmas binges, saying they could have easily wrapped up the game in the first half had they been clinical in front of the goals.
“I am not trying to find excuses for the loss but this is the reality of the situation. My boys’ fitness levels were very low after their Christmas break. Many of them never turned up on time for training in preparation for this game, and I have no doubt this is what contributed to our loss today,” Mapholoba said.
Gauteng FC’s Ramotsepa Nthite, who was a thorn in the flesh of Soweto Panthers defenders, races off with the ball towards the goals.
He said he was looking forward to a transfer window which opens at the end of the month, as he will use that opportunity to beef up his squad as well as to ensure their survival in the league and maybe mount a late challenge for honours.
“Winning the league could be pie in the sky, but survival is what we want to fight for at all costs, hence we’re currently in negotiations with Gunners.
“They are the only team in Alex that is prepared to offer us their players so we can beef up our squad and also ensure we keep the Safa [South African Football Association] quarter of five U21 players in our line-up every time.”
Despite the loss, Mapholoba said he was proud of his boys as they could have easily won in the first half.
Gauteng FC’s Ramotsepa Nthite (red) races off with the ball towards the goals with a Soweto Panthers player in hot pursuit.
Tall striker Ramotsepa Nthite, who was a thorn in the defence of Panthers, was the main culprit as he could not bury five clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first half, and so did his striking partners on the wings, Tshepo Ntlhane and Ayanda ‘Mugabe’ Mgaga.
Attacking midfielders Zakhele Mgwaba and Tumi Makwela also fluffed a number of glorious opportunities. Makwela opened the Gauteng FC account when he scored in the 25th minute to put his side in front, and the two teams went into the break with Gauteng FC leading 1–0.
The half-time pep talk on the part of the visitors paid off handsomely as they came into the second stanza as a completely rejuvenated side and knocked the ball around and the results finally came their way. Melusi Khumalo opened the Panthers’ scoring from a well-taken free kick followed by a strike by Madimetja ‘Sjejo’ Masopoga; and Khehla Thusi sealed victory for the visitors with a powerful strike in referee’s optional time; while Gauteng FC’s second goal came through the boot of ‘Mugabe’ just before Thusi’s goal.
