09 Oct 2016

 The 2016/17 Debswana- sponsored First Division North got off to a shaky start on Saturday (October 8) afternoon after the first game between Motlakase Power Dynamos and Great North Tigers (GNT) was delayed for an hour.

The delay was a result of a countrywide no show of match officials, the referee and the assistants due to a contracted pay dispute over owed last season monies.

The officials for the day were nowhere to be found as the two sides warmed up prior to the scheduled kick-off time of 1530 hours at the state of the art new Francistown Sports Complex.

This stadium was the choice of the newly elected FDN executive committee led by Mr Mpezeni ‘Samba’ Sambandawe, who used the facility to launch the north version of the Debswana sponsored league.

The referees nearly stole the show due to their absence at the launch attended by Botswana Football Association (BFA) chief executive officer Kitso ‘KK’ Kemoeng, Member of Parliament for Francistown East,

Debswana corporate and social investment manager, Barulaganye Mogotsi and some high ranking officials and corporate heads.

However, behind the scenes negotiations eventually saw the referees for the double header launch, the second game being between Tafic and Sua Flamingoes, taking to the ground to warm up after they were given their dues on the last minute.

In the first game, former premiership side, Motlakase Power Dynamos, now relegated to FDN proved a no match for GNT who looked rusty due to the long off-season break.

Motlakase came into the game with one thing clear on their mind, to grab the maximum points and thump GNT on their own backyard.

On the 3^rd minute, the Palapye -side made their intentions clear as they caught GNT off-guard and registered their first goal of the game via lanky striker Thapelo Chabalala, who headed past GNT goalkeeper Kabelo Mutumba a beautiful cross from Mojwadi Matlolo.

Motlakase continued to pile pressure on GNT, with the likes of inspirational captain Thatayotlhe Gaokgorwe dictating terms in the middle of the park, leaving GNT’s Thabo Leposo, Tebogo Mafala and Motlhalefi Leshiba chasing shadows.

GNT’s Boweelo Palalani and Mpho Kgosietsile misused several opportunities they had on the right flank as they often shot wide, failing to beat Motlakase’s Kagiso Moganetsi in the posts.

In the second half, GNT continued with their lackadaisical approach while Motlakase continued to pile pressure and were eventually rewarded when in the referees optional time of 93rd minute, they wrapped up the game to make it 2-0 via Kealeboga Oitsile to take the maximum points back to Palapye.

Speaking in a post-match interview with BOPA, Motlakase gaffer Pule Mogotsi said the delayed game disrupted the team as they had a slow start but was happy they got an early goal.

He decried poor finishing by his strikers, noting they could have buried GNT with an avalanche of goals and were more cautious not to concede in an away encounter.

Mogotsi said they want to have a good start to the league as the aim is to bounce back to the high paying elite league, BTC Premiership.

GNT head coach, Edward Leposo said the issue of referees’ failure to show up in time affected them but it was no excuse for their loss as his defence was found lacking on the day.

Leposo said his defence was ball watching while the midfielders were out-numbered hence the quick Motlakase goal and eventual victory.

Meanwhile, the second header between Tafic and Sua Flamingoes was a marvel to watch as both teams went for each other from the first whistle, providing much awaited football entertainment to the sizeable football supporters who came to the stadium.

Under the watchful eye of new gaffer, Blessing Moyo, Tafic, affectionately called Matjimenyenga, seemed like a side ready to annihilate Sua in the country’s second city.

But the Enos Mmesi -drilled boys from the salt producing town of Sowa had other ideas as they quickly out Tafic on the back-foot when 14^th minute when Letlang ‘Shono’ Moatlhodi put a beauty of a goal past Abednico Morapedi to make it 1-0.

Then on the 29^th minute, Tafic captain, Kabo Ogolotse found himself facing the wrong side of his goalposts and scored an own goal from an Ogolotse cross to make it 2-0 in favour of the visiting side and break the hearts of the Matjimenyenga faithful.

However Tafic kept on fighting and eventually pulled one back in the crucial concentration time just before half time when Mbatshi Elias scored to make it 2-1 on the 45^th minute.

Then in the second half, Tafic introduced Tlhagiso Matthews just before the second half kicked off and the youngster proved to be a super-sub as he quickly scored to level matters after a massive counter-attack from the right orchestrated by skillfull Mbatshi Machongo.

Both sides thereafter fought tooth and nail, with Sua captain, coming from the bench was eventually given red after a second bookable offence for apparent dissent on the 89^th minute.

After the game, Mmesi said their approach to the game was a positive one, especially bearing in mind that they had come to Tafic’s territory.

Moyo of Tafic said it was an impressive game, admitting that conceding two quick goals nearly shook his side but they regrouped and took the game to Sua.

Meanwhile, in other Debswana FDN games, Chobe United trounced Morupule Wanderers 3-1, ECCO City Greens beat Real Movers 2-1 while FC Satmos failed to show up in Maun to face Maun Tigers. ENDS