10 Apr 2017

Extension Gunners  beat Gilport Lions 3-0 in a BTC Premiership encounter at New Lobatse Stadium on April 8.

In the opening minutes of the game both teams cemented their scoring opportunities but lack of sharpness upfront for Gilport Lions let them down.

‘Guna Guna’ as Gunners are affectionately called by their fans, exchanged  neat passes to the excitement of their fans that had filled the eastern stand to steer their team to victory, but could not find the back of the net before recess.

Gilport Lions’ defence proved to be a hard nut to crack in the dying minutes of the first stanza as ‘Guna Guna’ was throwing all sorts of missiles upfront to get the better of their opponents.

However, their efforts hit a snag as teams were locked 0-0 at recess.

Gunners’ Moatlhodi Ralesota opened the score sheet just two minutes into the second half after opponents’ defence was caught napping.

Gillport Lions replied with a stunning splitting pass that swept through Gunners defence and nearly found its way into the net but Gunners goal minder Katlego Mbisi was equal to the task to make a brilliant safe.

As the game wore on, the two sides kept playing an open end-to-end attacking game.

Kenanao ‘Flo’ Kgetholetsile who was a marvel to watch increased the tally to make it 2-0 in the middle of the second stanza after cutting into opponents’ 18-yard box from the right wing leaving his fans in a rapture.

Kgetholetsile’s composure inside the box and outside the danger zone was impressive and it gave Guna Guna magnificent shape upfront.

As if it was not enough for Guna Guna boys Ralesota neatly tucked the ball into Gilport Lions net from a good spot, making it 3-0 in the 69th minute nailing a brace for the day thus leaving his opponents in agony.

Gillport Lions headcoach, Paradzayi Mandivenga decried poor defending by his side in the second half noting that his boys also lacked composure upfront that cost them scoring opportunities.

He said it was not their day as nothing worked for them in the game emphatically pointing out that his side was impatient in build-ups and ball retention was poor.

Gunners interim coach, Itumeleng Duiker was happy with the results as he pocketed three points and three goals, but noted that there is room for improvement.

He shared that he will work on improving ball retention and strives to maintain the momentum at training sessions. ENDS