17 Mar 2015

Bottom of the log Debswana First Division North side, Great North Tigers (GNT) saw red on March 14 when they lost 0-2 to Tafic.

The day proved not to be for GNT as they were first faced with the dilemma of an unmarked ground as the hosts, forcing the players to abandon their pre-match warm-up and run helter-skelter looking for ash to mark the ground in the absence of proper ground markers.

Referee of the match, John Palalani had to delay the start of the match by 20 minutes from the 4pm kick-off time, as the fourth official had to go around inspecting the ground after the last minute markings.

During the match, GNT, appealed for a penalty on the early minutes of the game when Tafic’s Phuthego Modipe handled the ball inside the box. The referee did not award the penalty and this frustrated GNT who however kept on piling pressure, living themselves open at the back.

Tafic punished them in one of the counterattacks and opened the score sheet on the 42nd minute through Bakani Kangangwani. GNT players protested that the winger was offside and their appeals resulted in defenders Chakaiba Pharo and Batshwere Olebeng receiving yellow cards.

This led to a fracas for a few minutes and their coach Edward Leposo also joined his players who were charging towards the referee in numbers. Amid this, Olebeng received a second yellow card and was eventually sent off via a red card to have an early shower. Moments later, his coach, Leposo received his marching orders too.

The game however returned to some normalcy and ended the first half with Tafic leading 1-0. On the second half, the 10 men GNT continued with their dominance in the middle of the park, with Mothibedi Tichana showing some brilliance.

Tafic’s Uyapo Tibathuwe also tried to supply passes, catching GNT on a counter several times.  Their striker Mbatshi Machongo saw two of his goals ruled offside in the process. Kangangwani got his brace on the 89th minute when he scored from a similar position as his first goal, beating GNT goalkeeper and captain David Puso.

The win by Tafic now means they have 28 points and have condemned GNT to a possible relegation if they do not pick themselves up. ENDS