19 Jan 2016

Extension Gunners clobbered Satmos in a pulsating beMOBILE Premier League encounter at the New Lobatse Stadium on Saturday January 17.

Gunners affectionately called ‘Guna Guna’ by their diehard supporters started exchanging neat passes to the excitement of their fans who had packed the middle eastern stand and created a marvelous atmosphere for football.

In the opening minutes of the first half Gunners was nearly rewarded but their utility player, Pako Gaofose squandered the golden opportunity for the home team to take an early lead.

Gunners relied on flair when launching attacks and to thwart their opponents’ attack while their counterparts relied on power play to pick up the pieces.

Guna Guna was more comfortable on the ball and were accurate with their pass approach. Nevertheless, Jomo Moatlhaping played an awkward pass and Satmos’ Malvin Moyo took advantage of the sloppy pass to make the score sheet read 1-0 in the 15^th minute.

However, Satmos defence remained solid in the opening minutes of the first half until hell-broke loose in the middle of the stanza.

Gunners were awarded a penalty in the 28^th minute of the first stanza after Mandla Mgadla who was a marvel to watch was fouled inside the box.  

Moatlhaping did not hesitate and equalised with a brilliant volley that gave Kagiso Tshelametsi no chance to thwart the strike, but to helplessly see the net ballooned.

Mgadla who had a brilliant match throughout the game more especially on receive and pass mode caused havoc on the visitors’ midfield causing it to break quite often thus forcing defence to work overtime.

Tshegofatso Chimuku’s dribbling was also a thorn on the visitors’ defence. Moatlhaping hit the side bar in the dying minutes of the first stanza that robbed Gunners an opportunity to take a lead before recess. At recess teams were locked 1-1.

In the middle of the second stanza, Guna Guna increased the tally through Bonno Mosea to make the score sheet read 2-1. 

As if this was not enough, Gunners’ goal poacher Emmanuel Machinya through his first touch after being introduced replacing Pako Gaofose increased the tally to give his team a 3-1 lead which sealed the victory.

In a no-holds-barred interview, Satmos mentor Kgosietsile Jacob said his team gave their opponents room to play more especially in the middlefield thus allowing them to enterprise and search for goals in a marauding manner.

He said that his team took too long to utilise balls when in possession thus allowing opponents to close up holes that they could have utilised, noting that punching up holes after opponents have covered up may proof difficult for solid defence.

He said his team needs a winning striker and a compact middle-field for them to win up-coming games.

Gunners head coach, Daniel Nare said his team played well, but in patches adding that there was no consistence in ball retention.

He said Moatlhaping’s awkward pass that resulted in the opponents taking the lead was a school boy error as he could have cleared the ball, noting it was a giveaway goal and would work on rectifying such mistakes.

He said his team needs to be more organised as they brace for Gaborone United emphasising the fitness level needs to go up and the mental approach of the game needs to improve.

He said in the home ground they have to secure a win and at least draw when they are playing away. Ends