09 Oct 2016

Extension Gunners mounted a spirited come back  on Saturday (October 8) to force a  one -all draw with  Mochudi Centre Chiefs in week one of the 2016/17 BTC Premiership season.

A late Otlantshekela Mooketsi strike broke the hearts of Centre Chiefs fans and ignited wild celebrations in the Gunners camp.

Chiefs were the first to open the score sheet in the 36^th minute through Dirang Moloi who had a good game in the midfield.

However, Gunners enjoyed ball possession and played as a unit moving forward but their hard work was thwarted by uncompromising Chiefs goal keeper, Noah Maposa.

Chiefs only managed to come to the party in the second half when they piled pressure looking for a cushion goal but that was not to be as both sides shared the spoils at the end of the game.

Chiefs coach, Bongani Mafu, said Gunners managed to score a late goal because they wanted to win the game more.

He said a draw was better than a loss especially in the opening game of the league.

“I have some tactical work to do, but I have a good squad, I think we are okay, it was an opening game, let’s see how it unfolds next game, “he said.

Gunners gaffer, Daniel Nare said seven players that started the game were new signees, adding that he was still struggling  to get the right combination.

“Had I lost 1-0 I would feel hard-done because I thought in the second half we created more scoring chances. We started with a 4-3-3 and we knew they will come with 4-3-3 with one seater , so I also came up with their formation, “he said.

Nare said in the first half, there was no movement in his 4-3-3 formation compared to Mochudi Centre Chiefs, because Lesego Galenamotlhale and Dirang Moloi were moving a lot.

He said his team managed to play well in the second half after changing the formation which gave the players an opportuity to creat lot of scoring chances.

Meanwhile, other games which were scheduled to play on Saturday were cancelled due to the unavailability of the referees.

Affected encounters were Gilport vs BDF XI, Security Systems vs United Hotspurs, Green Lovers and Sankonyo Bush Bucks as well as Galaxy vs Black Forest. ENDS