01 Mar 2016

Debswana First Division North side, Kazungula Young Fighters, showed no mercy for Palapye All Stars when they beat them 5-2 in Kasane on Saturday.

The hosts were in a mean mood and within seven minutes of play, Gobusamang Morupisi won a free kick and stepped up to take the kick, finding the back of the net to make it 1-0.

They also had another chance to increase their tally, but Gofaone Tikey’s shot went over the crossbar.

Palapye also had a few chances to equalise, first through Kentse Kgolokwane whose attempt at goal went over the crossbar and another chance came through a counter attack in the 20th minute between Opelo Kemmonye and Godfrey Kemmonye that nearly led to Morupisi scoring an own goal and won a corner kick.

The corner led to their equalising goal after Kazungula`s Kereng Ditenego handled the ball inside the box and they were given a penalty.

Kereng was given a yellow card for his action and Tshokolo Nswazi stepped up and scored to equalise and upped the morale of his side.

Both sides then preferred to play long balls and much of the game was played on Palapye`s half of the field and soon Kazungula was knocking the doors for another goal.

The goal came in when Palapye`s Nswazi fouled Kazungula`s striker Keabetswe Batunda in the 18-yard area and the referee awarded a penalty for Batunda to score it.

Within the dying minutes of the first half, Batunda got himself a brace and gave the home team a three goal to one lead as the game went into recess. Kazungula`s attempts to increase their lead were thwarted as One Diane was ruled offside on two occasions.

Palapye`s second goal for the game came through when Windy Thuso`s low cross to Godfrey Baotlelang was tapped into the net by Amos Basiamang of Kazungula in as an own goal to make the score 3-2.
Diane netted Kazungula`s fourth goal in the 66th minute to give the home side a comfortable lead.

Batunda scored the last goal that sealed the game in the 88th minute and confirmed Palapye`s exit from the Debswana First Division North to the second division despite the league still left with a few games to end. Palapye coach, Garayi Ndlovu, said they had relegated to the second division as the loss meant that they remained with nine points in the league.

“Even if we had won we would still be in the relegation zone with 12 points and only with five games left.” He noted.

However, he was optimistic that a quick return to first division football was possible for their team and expressed concern over his team`s performance in front of goal. 

Coach Patrick Mthetwa of Kazungula was satisfied with the result. He said they wanted three points from this game so that they can avoid being in the relegation zone and now push for the top four. Ends