25 Jan 2016

Football giants, Gaborone United and Extension Gunners played to a 1-1 draw before a sizeable crowd in a beMOBILE Premiership clash at the National Stadium Saturday night.

The exhilarating contest anticipated did not come about. However, this was an evening of mild entertainment as two second half goals from Moemedi ‘Jomo’ Moatlhaping’s penalty strike for Mapantsula and Benson Shilongo’s opener for the Reds, ensured parity.

Despite great historical pedigree, GU and Gunners have had an inconsistent season and entered the contest looking to redeem pride.

Gunners looked lively during the early exchanges with Kemmy ‘Gweru’ Pilato and Amos ‘Shoes’ Godirwang linking well in the middle for the Peleng Glamour Boys.

However, Mapantsula were not linking well with Moatlhaping and Boitshoko Zikhale in their attack, forcing their forwards to drop deep to collect balls then face an organised GU rear guard marshalled by Gaopatwe ‘Shoes’ Seosenyeng.

GU were slow in their build-ups, not getting forward in numbers when in possession, as such failing to counter-attack against a Gunners side that seemed to have the upper hand in the first half. The match went into the half time recess goalless.

Just after the break, Gunners introduced Tshegofatso Chimuku for Daniel Mogapi, but the normally enterprising South African was not in his element.

GU started going forward in numbers, Alphonse Modisaotsile and Ntesang ‘Mirror’ Simanyana becoming more involved for the Money Machine.  That made the Reds more of a threat after a timid first half display and a goal for them seemed imminent.

The Reds’ midfielder, Thato Ogopotse had a goal ruled out for offside early into the second half, as the Money Machine displayed attacking intent.

They would be duly rewarded with the opening goal. In the 53rd minute, Shilongo got on the end of a cross into the Gunners box with a clinical finish to give GU a 1-0 lead.

Buoyed by the lead, GU continued making better impression trying to move forward in search of a second. 

However, the Reds were not creative enough in the final third, even after ringing the changes, bringing Mpho Kgaswane in for Hendrick Moyo in the 64th minute and Kgololo Kgogobi for Edwin Olerile in the 75th minute.

That allowed Gunners to grow in confidence and were awarded a 73rd minute penalty, slotted home by Moatlhaping, to make it 1-1.

As the Panda stand erupted with joy, Daniel ‘Chicco Dance’ Nare’s Mapantsula started combining in search for a winner.  

Gunners’ winger, Mandla ‘Spiriki’ Mgadla, who recently joined Gunners from GU and son of Reds legend Reuben ‘Rhoo’ Mgadla, tried to make an impression against his spiritual football home, but was well contained by the GU backline.

Both sides lacked cohesion in attack and a share of the spoils seemed a fair result.

Gunners are now unbeaten in six matches, a run of three draws and three wins and the Lobatse side is now stationed at position nine on the log.

GU are now at position seven.  The Reds have gone four games without a win, three draws and a single loss, a statistic one of the country’s greatest clubs would want to change as the premiership race enters its business end. Ends