26 Mar 2017

Sharps Shooting Stars continued their fight for promotion to the Premier League with a 2-0 victory against Lesirane City at Lesirane ground on March 25.
Sharps started the better side with Michael Mmelesi heading wide a cross from Letlhogonolo Chenjela and captain Monageng Thaele firing a blistering shot few inches over the posts.
Moemedi Moatlhaping put Keitumetse Paul’s men in front with a beautifully taken free-kick in the 12th minute after Chenjela was fouled on the edge of the penalty area.
Lesirane goalkeeper Boitshwarelo Nzibisi thwarted a powerful effort from Mmelesi and a curling shot from Chenjela as Sharps laid siege on the hosts’ goalposts.
Lesirane coach Thatayaone Mothuba took off Thabang Tlhotsapele in the first half and brought on Keabetswe Sebika in an attempt to stabilize his troops.
But Sharps doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime when centre back Thuto Ntsie accidentally turned a corner kick from Thaele into his own net.
Nzibisi performed heroics between the goalposts by twice denying persistent striker Mmelesi from close range after halftime as Sharps looked to increase their lead.
Lesirane regrouped and played some neat interchange of passes in the second half but were hamstrung by lack of firepower.
Veteran midfielder Abednico Powell hit a late free-kick narrowly wide from Lesirane’s rare forage at an otherwise untroubled Sharps goalkeeper Richard Musheke.
The victory increased Sharps unbeaten streak to nine matches and moved them to 36 points at the top of the Debswana First Division South league after 17 matches.
They are two points above second placed Uniao Flamingo Santos who beat Modipane United 1-0 on Saturday. Lesirane are in position eight with 20 points from 18 matches.
Sharps assistant coach Davies Kopi said their strategy was to break up the Lesirane defence using wingers.
“We have realised that most of the teams we play against tend to drop in when we have the ball, so we instructed our wingers to get behind their defenders and create chances.
We did that well today and that is how we won the game,” Kopi said.
The former international player said they will focus on their games in the promotion race and ignore results from their competitions.
“We will now prepare for our game against Black Peril which we are told will be on Wednesday.
What is happening elsewhere is not our baby,” he said.
Other First Division South results: Mogoditshane Fighters 1-1 Prisons XI, Black Peril 1-1 Notwane, Letlapeng 1-0 Mochudi Rovers, Matebejane 2-0 Skoon Boys.ENDS