Lesego Lubinda scored a second half hat-trick as BDF XI beat a 10 man Nico United 5-2 at the weekend to stay on course for their second successive Mascom Top 8 finals. The score set Nico United on what may be ‘mission impossible’ to turn around the deficit during their second leg encounter due to be played at Selibi Phikwe in a fortnight. After an uneventful first half display that only produced a single goal, courtesy of BDF XI striker Saukani Zulu, spectators at the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) were treated to a thrilling six-goal fest in the second half as Nico United played catch up to the marauding BDF XI.
‘Matebele,’ as BDF XI is affectionately known to its supporters, started the brighter of the two teams in the first half, scoring a goal within three minutes of kick off. Matebele put Nico on the back foot in the opening minutes and the pressure paid off as Nico conceded three successive corner kicks, with the second attempt rattling the cross bar while the third was flicked into the net by Zulu.
The game however fizzled off after the goal, though Matebele missed a couple of half chances to stretch the lead. The goal was the only highlight of the lackluster first half and saw ‘Matebele’ take a solitary goal lead going into recess.
On resumption, it was a Lubinda show for BDF XI as the former Notwane midfielder scored an early second half goal to increase Matebele’s tally to two goals before Gift Moyo reduced the deficit with a well taken shot into the bottom corner.
The goal was however the last credible output for Moyo as a few minutes later he received a second yellow card booking for handling the ball and was thus given his marching orders, leaving ‘Majombolo’ trailing BDF XI with a goal and a man behind.
Matebele made their numerical advantage count as they increased their score tally to three goals courtesy of Bonolo Phuduhudu.
The BDF midfielder scored the easiest of goals, tapping in after Nico goalkeeper Segakolodi Ntsima had parried a shot from the midfield into the path of the onrushing midfielder.
From then on, it was all BDF as they turned on the heat with Lubinda and Kabelo Seakanyeng tormenting Nico United. Lubinda was however the toast of BDF XI as he had the last say in the encounter with two goals before Nico captain Richard Legwaila pulled one goal back to give the score a respectable look and give Nico a glimmer of hope going into the second and final leg of the encounter.
In another game played on Saturday, Township Rollers beat rivals Gaborone United 2-1 to take a one goal advantage ahead of their next second leg Gaborone derby encounter.
Obuile Ncenga and Motsholetsi Sikele scored for Rollers while Tebogo Sembowa replied for GU. The result means Rollers will take a two away goals advantage into the second leg of the encounter, leaving GU with much to do.
