05 Apr 2017

Old Naledi based Sharps Shooting Stars are on the verge of making history by gaining automatic  promotion to the elite league for the first time.

Sharps Shooting Stars was formed around 1984 and they have been in the structures of the Botswana Football Association with the likes of Queens Happy Hearts, Maletamotse, Tlokweng Pirates and Paymaster Spurs, but failed to progress to the elite league

Gaborone Kicks came and gained promotion to the then elite league leaving the likes of Happy Hearts, Sharps and Paymaster Spurs in the lower division.

This season Sharps Shooting Stars look determined to play in the elite league after 32 years of trying, but hitting a blank wall.

Nothing can currently stop Sharps, and they can only stop themselves from cruising to the lucrative league. Out of the 19 games they have played, they won 12, drew six, lost one and conceded only six goals. They are perched at the summit with 42 points.

On position two is Uniao Flamengo Santos with 37 points out of 19 outings. They have won 10, drew seven and lost two.

Sharps Shooting Stars are left with three games against Matebejane, Modipane United and Skoon Boys.Should Uniao Flamengos lose their game against Notwane and Sharps beats Matebejane the later will be crowned Debswana First Division South champions.

Sharps will have 45 points, and if Santos wins their two games against Mochudi Rovers and Prisons XI, they will end up with only 43 points.

Sharps Shooting Stars president, Isaac Chilisa said in an interview that they would leave no stone unturned in their quest to march to the premier league.

He said over the years they had been finishing the log standing on position four, and that most times Sharps and the champions would be separated by four points.

He said this season the players wanted it more given that they wanted to be part of history.

“It looks like we might be able to gain promotion this time after 32 years of our formation, and the arrival of Pio Paul made an impact because as a professional coach, he had his targets which he monitored with key indicators,” he said.

Furthermore, Chilisa noted that Paul has premier league experience and knows what was required to lift the team to the elite league.

He said the other contributing factor to their success this season was hard work, commitment and determination of the technical team and the players, adding that they arrived on time during training sessions. ENDS