13 Feb 2017

The much anticipate Debswana First Division South category A game between Notwane and Sharps ended in a goalless draw  at Lesirane Ground on Sunday.
Although football pundits had expected that Sharps will finish with Notwane to extend their lead against second placed Mogoditshane Fighters,  that was not to be.
Sharps and Fighters are currently separated by four points and had Sharps won the encounter they could have kept their hopes of gaining promotion to the elite league very much alive.
On the other hand Notwane were also expected to redeem their pride, and take vengeance on Sharps who in their last round encounter humiliated them 3-0.
Despite playing a goalless draw the results mean Sharps are still perched at the summit of the log with 25 points. Out of 12 games, they have lost one game, won seven  and drew four while Notwane have accumulated 18 points in 12 outings, lost two, drew six, won four and they remain on position five.
However during the game both sides came determined to pocket three valuable points, with Notwane having an upper hand but their decision making and lack of composure in the box was their main enemy.
On the other hand, Sharps also had clear cut chance which they also failed to utilise  and Notwane could have scored just some seconds before break after they won a set-piece in a very dangerous spot, which was well taken by Sethembile Mbuqe but Sharps keeper Richard Musheke was equal to the task.
However, after break there was nothing much to write home about, but on the 70th minute Mbuqe who was tormenting Sharps defence missed what could have been an opening goal.
Four minutes after that heart breaking incident for Notwane supporters, Sharps’ Letlhogonolo Chenjela also disappointed his supporters by failing to convert an easy goal although he had done all the dirty work, but failed to finish off  Notwane .
In a post-match interview, Sharps coach, Pio Paul said his team did not play well adding that it was very dangerous to play a team back to back given that he played against Notwane last week.
“Notwane was fighting for their life, but a point for me is good, and my intention is to win all my home games, so a point for me away is not bad. All in all I am happy and we are  left with around 10 games, my aim is to make it to the elite league,” he said.
Notwane coach, George Mogopodi said their aim was to reverse last week’s results but unfortunately that was not to be as they played to a goalless draw.
He said he was impressed by his side’s performance, given that there was a lot of improvement compared to their last game against Sharps.
“We missed a lot of scoring opportunities. I thinks we could have scored one or two goals, but it is the nature of the game,” he said.
In other games played, on Saturday Mochudi Rovers lost 0-2 to Modipane United in  Mochudi, Mogoditshane Fighters and UFS Santos played to a one- all draw at Fighters Ground, Black Peril pocked three points after beating  Skoon Boys 2-0  at Tlokweng VDC Ground.
 On Sunday,  a battle between Prisons and Matebejane ended with a two all draw, while at Siga Ground Letlapeng beat Lesirane 4-2. ENDS