15 Feb 2015

Extension Gunners became the second big team after Gaborone United to be humbled by newcomers Sankoyo Bush Bucks, aka Ngurungu Boys since the beginning of the second round of the be Mobile Premier League.

Gunners succumbed to a 0-1 defeat at Maun Sports Complex on Valentine’s Day. The encounter, which had, as usual, attracted a large crowd of spectators started on a high note with both teams showing their eagerness to pocket maximum points.

At the beginning of the game Mapantsula wanted to assert their superiority over the Ngurungu Boys but the latter resisted as they appeared determined to continue their unbeaten run in the second round.

Using home ground advantage, Ngurungu secured a lead in the 10^th minute after Thato Monowe had penetrated Gunners’ defence and scored a goal that was to be the only one of the game.

Sankoyo’s goal, which was highly celebrated by its supporters, provoked the visiting team as it mounted pressure with clear intentions to equalise and even score more goals.

Sankoyo owere not to be outdone as they also piled equal, if not more pressure on the Gunners defence and causing a lot of confusion in the middle field until the half time break.

After the break the two teams were at each other’s neck, but Sankoyo resisted and created better chances though they failed to convert. Gunners also countered on numerous occasions but were not lucky to score.

This scenario persisted until the final whistle, and, in a post-match interview, Gunners' Motswadi Motswadi said they played according to plan, but players were not aggressive enough.

He revealed that many chances were created but were not converted into goals, adding that Sankoyo’s defence was not good enough: “But they have an advantage of a strong striking force,” he further added.

He also talked of poor refereeing as another setback to their performance saying good refereeing could have changed the game altogether.

Meanwhile, Sankoyo mentor Philani Mabhena said the game was tough looking at the kind of team they were playing against.

“We managed to get a win because the players were happy after their welfare issues were resolved amicably,” he said, adding that his charges had to go through counseling after their loss against Police XI, to prepare them for the Gunners encounter. ENDS