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Ndlovu's Blunder Earns Notwane a DrawSelebi-Phikwe, Apr 07, 2009 (Mmegi/The Reporter/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Nico United goalkeeper, Murambiwa Ndlovu turned from hero to villain when his last minute blunder gifted visitors, Notwane a share of the spoils in an exciting be MOBILE Premier League match on Saturday. The match ended 2-2. Nico were cruising 2-1 deep into injury time when Ndlovu produced a school boy error, allowing a tame Ndiye Mbikwa shot to sail into the net when he attempted to scoop the ball but missed. A distraught Ndlovu threw himself into the ground as referee, Joshua Bondo immediately blew the final whistle. Nico would curse their luck for failing to bag maximum points in a game in which they allowed Notwane to come from two goals down with only four minutes to go. Notwane started the game brightly but were thwarted by goalkeeping heroics from Ndlovu. The Nico goalkeeper was called into action as early as the second minute when he beat away a powerful Kutlo Sejeso shot. With Mpoeleng 'Stopper' Mpoeleng's contribution immense in midfield, the visitors surged forward at regular intervals but the finishing touch of Zambian forward, Langson Sichola was missed, while Ndlovu was uncompromising.Nico absorbed the early pressure and in the 10th minute, impressive midfielder, Paul Ngwenya made a surging run before thumping a brilliant shot which forced a save from Notwane goalkeeper, Botlhe Moralo. Master Masitara could have opened the scoring for Nico but watched agonisingly as his shot whisked inches wide of Moralo's goal.Botshelo Mogotsi then forced Ndlovu into an acrobatic save before Moreetsi 'Resco' Mosimanyane shot straight at the Nico goalkeeper. Nico almost took the lead against the run of play as Moralo fumbled a tame cross but he recovered as Masitara was preparing to pull the trigger. The game somehow lost lustre midway through the first half and the two sides remained deadlocked until the halftime whistle.Nico started the second half in attacking mode with Thobo 'Fish' Kgoboge missing a sitter in the 47th minute, when he shot weakly at Moralo. Ten minutes later, Paul Ngwenya hit the side netting as Nico launched waves of attack. The hosts finally took the lead in the 62nd minute when Oduetse Rakoma lofted a glorious return ball onto the path of Masitara who obliged with an exquisite strike to the roof of the net. It was the leading goal scorer's 17th goal of the season, just one shy of his debut season's tally of 18. Rakoma and Kgoboge fluffed two glorious opportunities before defender Tevin 'Dread' Kgage capped another brilliant afternoon when his towering header put Nico 2-0 up in the 69th minute. Notwane needed to do something as Nico took total control of the match and Paul Moyo responded by sending in former national team striker, Tshepiso 'Sox' Molwantwa. Besides a deft turn, which saw a defender floor him and his team's first goal, Molwantwa remained largely anonymous for the remainder of the game. He was effectively bottled by Kgage. Nico continued to create good scoring chances but fluffed them and Notwane brought themselves back into contention with four minutes on the clock. Molwantwa fired home in the 86th minute despite the attention of two defenders. Then Mbikwa delivered the proverbial sucker punch right at the death to break the hearts of Nico fans. Majombolo can take heart from their brilliant performance and the fact they played two matches without defeat. Despite the draw, Notwane are still in deep trouble at position 13 with 19 points. |