Gunners relegate for first time
Larona Makhaiza | Monday May 1, 2023 17:00
They wasted an opportunity on Saturday when they allowed Mogoditshane Fighters to equalise in the last minute of the match, which left head coach, Daniel ‘Chicco’ Nare, an unhappy man. Nare stormed off the field without addressing the media after his side blew up the one goal lead they carried into the referee's additional time. Fighters equalised with few seconds left through Othusegile Botsetswe. Botsetswe's equaliser ensured the two sides share the spoils and left both sides in a precarious situation in the relegation battle. However Holy Ghost's victory yesterday left Gunners with no chance of survival. The Peleng giants will now play in the Debswana First Division South league next season after years of miraculously surviving relegation. Fighters coach, Nelson Olebile on the other side said he was happy that they managed to salvage a point but was also disappointed with the way they considered the goal. “Let me take this point despite our team's slip ups because at the end of the day, we are still above Gunners which I think is a good thing as we do not want to be the ones on the 16th position,” Olebile added.
Despite electrifying sparks towards the end of the game, Fighters and Gunners had a dull game without much of action from both sides. The two teams played for more than 15 minutes without any clear-cut chance. But Gunners was the one enjoying most of the possession. On the 23rd minute, Omphile Vissage picked up Boemo Lekorwe with a chip inside the box but Lekorwe was easily dispossessed. Five minutes later, Kabo Matshula of Gunners hit a long rage shot to try his luck. His shot took a deflection for a corner. Fighters were nowhere to be seen on the side of Gunners as they could not string any few passes without losing the ball.
Gunners nearly broke the deadlock on the 35th minute after Thamiso Gagoanngwe hit a powerful curler outside the box. But Onneile Ditshito was there to deny him and pulled a heroic save. Fighters had their first clear cut chance on the 38th minute with Desire Bafana caught sleeping, giving the ball away inside the box. Thuso Keratswe did not put the golden opportunity to good use but rather blew up the chance by shooting straight at the goalkeeper. Coming back from the half time break, Fighters were now able to string a few passes of their own. Gunners came close to breaking the deadlock on the 57th minute with Thato Bolweleng putting in a delightful cross inside the box. Ofentse Nato connected well with it but was subsequently denied by the crossbar. Lekorwe then missed a rebound from the crossbar by shooting over the bar. With only five minutes left on the clock, Vissage broke the deadlock. Bolweleng put in a powerful cross inside the box which beat everyone and Vissage was at the far end to easily tap in from close range. Just when Gunners thought they had collected three points, their hearts were ripped apart with a last minute equaliser. Fighters broke in attack which saw Thabang Sendu put in a brilliant cross and Botsetswe headed home. Botsetswe’s powerful header hit the crossbar and came off the back of Lesang Senne.
The teams: Mogoditshane Fighters: Onneile Ditshito, Darius Ramere (Thato Maphanyane), Daniel Taboka, Phenyo Lebopo, Oabona Mangope, Kagiso Mokaeya (Junior Shone), Botsetswe Othusegile, Goitsemodimo Dipateletso, Thabang Sendu, Morapedi Kengaletswe, Thuso Keraetswe
Extension Gunners: Lesang Senne, Thato Bolweleng, Kaelo Kgaswane, Mosimanegape Ntwaetsile, Desire Bafana, Ofentse Nato, Thamiso Gagoannwe (Kgotso Phuthi), Pako Modikwa (Phomolo Moahi), Kabo Matshula (Thapelo Thebeyagae), Omphile Vissage, Boemo Lekorwe
Mogoditshane Fighters 1 (Botsetswe 90th) Extension Gunners 1 (Vissage 85th)