Vicomates coach, Victor Bareetseng has expressed optimism his team will survive relegation and come back a much better side next year.
Speaking in an interview after watching his team lose 1 ÔÇô 2 to Mexican Girls in the Women’s First Division League, Bareetseng said despite the loss he remains confident that his team will survive as they have held their own against illustrious opponents, despite missing key players.
While Mexican Girls looked more likely to run riot over them, Vicomates, led by their captain Kelebeletse Motshelanoka, showed character throughout the game, only to be outdone by Esalenna Galekhutle’s goal two minutes from the final whistle. Rooted at the bottom of the Women’s First Division league log, Vicomates had a torrid start to their game. In a game played at Ithuteng Primary School grounds on Sunday, coach Bareetseng’s charges found themselves a goal down within the first minute of the game as Mosa Rampedi out-sprinted the Vicomates defence to put Mexican Girls in the driving seat. Despite being second best to Mexican Girls in the first quarter of the game, Vicomates did not concede a goal, thanks largely to their keeper and Motshelanoka.
After weathering the storm, the team finally leveled matters from the penalty spot on the 24th minute courtesy of Motshelanoka. After Mexican Girls’ keeper had been adjudged to have fouled Sennye on the penalty box when one on one with her, Motshelanoka stepped up to dispatch the penalty and pull her team level. The goal was enough to see the two teams going to recess with a goal apiece. From recess, Vicomates were the first to have a crack at goal through Maipelo Lekwale’s attempt on the 63rd minute, but her shot went straight at the keeper. It was however as good as it got for Vicomates as Mexican Girls turned the screws on them. The team had to thank their keeper Keolebogile Mogote, who saved attempts from Keitumetse Dithebe and Galekhutle to keep her team in the game.
She however could do nothing on the 88th minute as Esalenna finally got her team’s second goal. After the referee had awarded Mexican Girls a set piece for a foul on Frederike Preissner, the German born midfielder dusted herself up, took the set piece, and threaded it into the path of Esalenna who easily slotted it home to put her team ahead and seal all three points. The result leaves Vicomates, who are yet to win or draw a game this season, still waiting to win a point this season. The team has lost all thirteen of their games, scoring only six goals and conceding 54 goals in the process.
