The two sides struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the first 15 minutes, probably still trying to adapt to the scorching heat and bumpy pitch, but later upped the tempo after the first goal of the match.
The first real chance of the match came from UB Hawks way in the 18th minute.
A long ball was played from the back into the left and Pako Osupile gave chase and brilliantly delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Bosa Mokgweetsi tried to tap it into the net but the effort lacked enough power.
His team-mate, Kaelo Ntsimane applied pressure and managed to win the ball but his shot from a tight angle hit the upright before it went out. Hawks got the opening goal in the 25th minute from yet another attack from the left side. Aobakwe Galetshabe received the ball and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. Mokgweetsi this time around made no mistake with a brilliant header to give the home side a well deserved lead.
Notwane on other hand struggled to make any threatening moves into Hawks' box and the first time they did, in the 30th minute, they scored the equaliser through reliable captain, Kudzanai Machadzani. The two goals separated the two sides at the half time break. From the dug out, Notwane raised the tempo of the match and created several chances but were let down by poor decision making in the final third.
Hawks also maintained their attacking game and made threatening movements towards Notwane’s goalposts but they were denied many times by goalkeeper, Phatsimo Mogweng. Hawks nearly took the lead in the 88th minute following a good build up involving substitutes, Kabo Ntswaneng and Mothusi Ipotseng but Osupile failed to deliver at the end.
Notwane also nearly stole victory in the last minute of the match when Thabang Ofitlhile dribbled past two Hawks defenders and got inside the box, set up unmarked Sithembile Mbuqe whose weak shot was easily saved by the goalkeeper. The two sides shared spoils on the opening day of the Debswana First Division South league season.
“I am happy with the performance of my team. I think we applied ourselves well. We wanted to dominate the ball and that is what we did exactly. It is a game that we had more chances than our opponent but there are good things that Notwane also did,” Hawks head coach, Alex Malete said. Meanwhile, Notwane head coach, Omphemetse Setswe said it was a tough game and believes they would have collected maximum points if they had buried the last chance they created in the last minute.
The teams:
UB Hawks: Tom Malesela, Kaelo Ntsimane (Mosupi Ipotseng), Harvey Matema, Bonno Sepako, Zidane Kofa, Kagiso Mokaeya (Kabo Ntswaneng), Oratile Setombeko, Pius Mogae, Pako Osupile, Aobakwe Galetshabe (Kago Sesinyi), Bosa Mokgweetsi (Botlhe Rakaki)
Notwane: Phatsimo Mogweng, Donald Botshoma, Molemi Dibuile, Lemogang Kabo, Kudzanai Machadzani), Sithembile Mbuqe, Oratile Mogatusi (Mphoyamodimo Keipone), Omphemetse Motaung, Mbase Ngakaetsile, Thabang Ofitlhile, Larona Seloba (Tlotlo Kgosimore)
UB Hawks 1 (Mokgweetsi 25th) Notwane 1 (Machadzani 30th)
