20 Oct 2016

Extension Gunners shot to the top of the BTC premiership log table with a 2-0 win over premier league greenhorns Security Systems at the National Stadium on October 19 night.
Second half goals from Bonno Mosea and Kutlwelo Mpolokang gave Gunners the crucial three points that took the Lobatse giants to the summit of the log. Systems were enterprising, playing the better football on the night, but their lack of premier league experience was telling in the end.
Former Gunners and Township Rollers midfielder Michael Pillar and Mgcini Sibanda, who wore Orapa United colours last season, were enterprising for Systems in midfield early on, feeding Tumelo Mazebedi and Kago Segokgo in attack.
They tried to give a torrid time to the Gunners backline marshaled by skipper Desire Bafana, but in the end, Mapantsula were up to the task, parrying Systems’ efforts. Gunners had the best chance of the first half but Systems goalkeeper Joseph Gojamang recovered to make a superb goal line clearance.
The two sides entered the half time break goalless, and Gunners came back a more determined side. Former Lesirane attacking midfielder, the Good Hope born Mosea sent the National Stadium’s eastern Panda stand into ruptures, when he broke the deadlock in the 59th minute, making it 1-0 to Gunners.
In response Systems coach Thaloga Nthaga tried to shore things up, bringing on Senatla Senatla for Pillar, and later Kaone Molefhe for Mazebedi in order to wrestle control from a Gunners side that had started gaining the midfield ascendency.
Gunners’ mentor Daniel ‘Chicco Dance’ Nare countered that by bringing on Thabo Metlhayotlhe for Boitshoko Zikhale in the 70th minute and later Emmanuel Machinya for Mandla ‘Spikiri’ Mgadla, who came on with just five minutes to spare on the clock.
Systems’ pursuit of an equaliser proved to be an exercise in futility and it would be Gunners who would find the back of the net, increasing their tally in injury time. Mpolokang’s goal was the icing on the cake, making it 2-0 to Gunners in regulation time, setting off Panda celebrations.
Mapantsula have made a great start to their campaign; their opening fixture, a 1-1 draw with Mochudi Centre Chiefs was for all intents and purpose, supposed to be a win for the Peleng glamour boys who were more enterprising on the day.
They followed that up with a 1-0 away win against Green Lovers in Serowe, and now the Systems triumph takes Gunners to the top with seven points.
Their legion of fans will hope for greater consistency, bearing in mind that Gunners made a great start to last season’s campaign, winning the first four matches on the trot under Pio Paul, only for things to fall apart as the season wore on. ENDS