Yaros motivated despite knock out
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday November 14, 2017 15:34
The arrival of the new side was at a time when Capital Motors tournament was underway. It was their first litmus test against the big guns.
Yaros were in the same pool as Police VI, who were the league champions and ended up clinching the Capital Motors title. Police gave the new arrivals a baptism of fire. History repeated itself over the weekend as Yaros men’s team and Police were pitted in the same pool again, this time in the JB Sports tournament. It was another victory for Police as they brushed aside Yaros with a score line of 2-0 in the preliminary stage. Yaros were unlucky as they got another hammering of 2-0 from Itekeng.
For the coach, Mmoloki Gaobone, it was yet another hurdle thrown his way as he is trying to build future champions. He told Mmegi Sport yesterday that it has been a rough ride because a majority of his players are students. “Some of my players in the starting line up had just sat for Form Five examinations on Friday and Saturday they were in the court against Police. As you are aware, a majority of Police players are in the national team and they have been active on national duties while we have not been training,” he said. Gaobone said his players have never trained as a team ahead of the JB Sports tournament.
He said some of the players were students at Maun Secondary School, while others are at Mater Spei College in Francistown. He said with such a setup, it is difficult to come up with a working strategy. He said facing Police with such players is mission impossible. He noted that the absence of the BVF league also added salt to injury for his charges. Gaobone said despite that, Yaros has not lost sight of their future plans. He said they would continue working hard and plan for next year. He said now that his players stand a chance of going for tertiary education that means they would play in the Botswana Tertiary Student Sports Association (BOTESSA) Games.
Meanwhile Police captain, Happy Ribbin said his side intends to continue with its good run that started with a win at the 2016 league and Capital Motors in May. He said the plan is to win all tournaments that they compete in. “We are motivated because of the support we get from the management. The team is a united front and we support each other in everything. We have now qualified for the JB Sports tournament final,” Ribbin said.
Police are expected to face a tough battle from Diphatsa in the final. Ribbin said having played against Yaros in two tournaments, they have always advised the young players to keep their heads up and learn. He appreciated that the players made their debut in the top league this season but they stand a good chance of becoming some of the best players. He said playing against Police should be seen as an advantage by Yaros.
In other matches, Police beat Itekeng 2-0, Mafolofolo 2-0 and saw off Kutlwano 3-0 in the semi-final. Diphatsa booked themselves into the final by beating Prisons 2-1, losing 2-1 to BDF VI and winning 2-1 against Spiking Stars. The side won 3-1 against Kalavango in the semi-final.