21 Sep 2015

Great North Tigers (GNT) striker, Aobakwe ‘Marobela’ Mopaki was the hero of the day when he netted a brace to earn three points for his side against Maun Tigers at the Old Francistown Stadium recentlyy afternoon.

In a meeting of the ‘Tigers’ in the second game of the Debswana First Division North, graced by the league’s chairperson Keatametse Olopeng and secretary general Rapula Gaothobogwe, GNT as the hosts took the game to visitors in the early minutes of the first half.

On the 9^th minute, Mopaki opened the scoring for the former premier league campaigners when he sneaked in a shot on Maun Tigers goal minder Evan Kinyori’s left corner. This was after neat two touches with Otsile Kediegile, who was another thorn in the flesh of Maun Tigers on the afternoon.

The visitors did not however sit back and watch as GNT tried to dictate terms but showed they were in the game to compete as Keobokwe Mombala forced the hosts’ goalkeeper Agang Sidakwa to tip over the bar a well taken free kick.

Maun Tigers striking duo of Joseph Wellio and Letsogile Mothowaeng tried their best to penetrate GNT’s defence manned by Chakazha Pharo, Batshwere Olebeng and Oteng Mbangiwa, but hit blanks.  

Mopaki failed to get his brace sooner on the 40^th minute of the first half as he failed to beat Kinyori but instead shot wide after displaying good composure inside the 16 yard box.

Maun Tigers captain, Obey Kgomo was then given a yellow card for dissent in the dying minutes of the first half, something which later led to him being given a red card by referee Percy Ntekola in the second half after a second yellow for a bad tackle.

In the second half, Maun Tigers pushed for an equaliser as they increased their speed and used the wing play to try and tear GNT defence apart.

Their pressure eventually paid off as they got an equalizer on the 72^nd minute through Welcum Patrick and put the brakes on GNT’s early celebrations.

However, young Mopaki had other ideas as he struck a beauty on the 89^th minute to put the game beyond Maun Tigers reach and earn his team the much needed points.

In a post-match interview with BOPA, Mopaki said he was happy with his performance as they have to collect the much needed maximum points early in the league to avoid the relegation axe, which threatened them in the past season. He said he was also happy that he is now 100 per cent fit as he was nursing an injury in the past season and having found his scoring boots, he is even pushing for the top goal scorer position. Ends