• Battle with Chiefs continues

Ecco City Greens will be hoping to make it third time lucky when they meet Mochudi Centre Chiefs again in the Mascom Top 8 Cup in Molepolole on Saturday.

LAST CHANCE: Molapi

Last week Chiefs knocked them out of the Coca-Cola cup in a 3-2 thriller despite taking the lead. The game followed the 0-0 score line from the first leg of the Mascom Top 8 competition in Francistown.
Speaking to Voice Sport on Wednesday, Ecco Public Relations Officer Keletso Gomotsang said in last week’s game they made the mistake of allowing Chiefs midfielder Dirang Moloi space and time to hold the ball and feed his forwards. He was also disappointed that his boys had taken the lead but did not defend it.

“Not taking anything away from players who started the game, Emmanuel Nlu’s absence has affected our play. As a captain and experienced defender he could have helped save the team. Our injured player Lovemore Murirwa’s skills were also missed.”

Gomotsang added: “When the game was left with five minutes players lost concentration and told themselves the game was over, and that is where Chiefs punished us. This week at training we worked on our mistakes and are plotting our revenge. I have no doubt that my players will do a holding job for us and deny Chiefs space in midfield.”

He said Chiefs should not expect an easy game since they will fight as ‘wounded buffalo’ in order to go to the next stage.
Chiefs Assistant Coach Innocent Morapedi said he was happy with the performance of his players though the head coach Madinda Ndlovu was not around.  He said his team was playing with purpose and he believes they will not disappoint when Saturday comes.

“My players work hard as a team, they fight until the last whistle, and we have prepared well. We are also injury free and have a full and experienced squad to choose from.
“We have a game plan, and I expect the players to follow my instructions wisely. The morale of the boys is very high and they have a hunger for goals, whilst at the same time playing with caution so that we don’t concede.”

He admitted that Ecco were a good side and always raised their game when playing Chiefs. “But we have no intention of doing them any favours on Saturday. We are not about to make any silly mistakes,” Morapedi predicted.

Ecco Coach Molapi nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn