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GU settle for draw against Systems

Tawana Mbakile (in Blue) of Security Systems battles for the ball with Karabo Phiri of Gaborone United PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Tawana Mbakile (in Blue) of Security Systems battles for the ball with Karabo Phiri of Gaborone United PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Log leaders, Gaborone United (GU) yesterday settled for a 1-1 draw against Security Systems in a highly contested Botswana Premier League (BPL) match at the National Stadium.

The Reds failed to take advantage and increase the lead at the top of the league table after title rivals, Township Rollers also dropped points away to Orapa United on Saturday.

Rollers played to a 0-0 draw with the Ostriches. Against Systems, GU approached the match with a high tempo and as early as the second minute, they forced a save from Security Systems goalkeeper, Karabo Gaolebale. Thatayaone Kgamanyane dribbled a defender on the edge of the box and tried to beat Gaolebale with his weaker right foot but the latter did well to close the angle and blocked the effort.

Systems, who eventually settled in the match, started asking questions in the GU half. In the 20th minute, they were awarded a corner kick, which was brilliantly delivered into the box by Benson Mangolo. GU cleared the ball but it found Morris Rudzivo on the edge of the box. He headed it back into the danger zone and caught GU defence napping. Letlhogonolo Chenjela received the ball and easily slotted past Goitseone Phoko. Besides the end-to-end affair, the first half was characterised by flying tackles and the referee never hesitated to give yellow cards. By the 37th minute, he had already handed out five yellow cards. GU caught Systems on a counter attack and Thatayaone Ramatlapeng delivered a perfect cross, which was headed into the net by Thatayaone Kgamanyane in the last minute of the first half.

The Reds introduced Thero Setsile at the beginning of the second half to try and increase fire power upfront. They started dominating proceedings and in a space of 10 minutes, Ramatlapeng and Kgamanyane missed clear-cut chances with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Security Systems on the other hand also introduced the likes of Ronald Chikomo and Kenanao Kgetholetsile upfront in search of a winning goal but the two sides settled for a draw. GU are still leading the pack with 54 points from 22 matches while Rollers are second with 53 points from 23 games.

GU: Goitseone Phoko, Tshepo Maikano, Mothusi Johnson, Thato Kebue, Alford Velaphi (Kekaetswe Moloi), Karabo Phiri (Thero Setsile), Lebogang Ditsele, Onkabetse Makgantai (Sizwe Thwala), Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, Mpho kgaswane (Kennedy Amutenya)

Security Systems: Karabo Gaolebale, Daniel Montshiwa, Benson Mangolo, Tebogo Kopelang, Bophelo Macheng, Thato Ogopotse, Morris Ruzivo (Aobakwe Radikolana), Letlhogonolo Chenjela (Letsile Montsho), Molaodi Tlhalefang (Kenanao Kgetholetsile), Tawana Mbakile (Ronald Chikomo), Eric Molefi

Cautions: Chikomo, Ruzivo, Maikano, Velaphi, Molefi, Mangolo, Ditsile, Kopelang Dismissal: Ditsile

GU 1 (Kgamanyane 45th) Systems 1 (Chenjela 20th,

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