23 Apr 2017

Old Naledi based Sharps Shooting Stars secured their first ever promotion to the Premier League by drawing 2-2 with relegation threatened Modipane United in a nail-biting match on April 22. Together with Tafic Football Club from the Northern side, Sharps have qualified through topping the log in the Southern side. The modest club formed 34 years ago has been a model of consistency throughout the season with a strong squad comprising ex-premier league stars such as Monageng Thaele, Moemedi Moatlhaping and Keleagetse Mogomotsi.
They have 44 points in the Debswana First Division South log standings and cannot be caught by closest rivals, second placed Uniao Flamingo Santos who have 38 points with one round of matches remaining.
Despite arriving in Old Naledi as overwhelming underdogs, Modipane produced strong resistance and took a 2-1 lead to the half-time break through goals by captain Neelo Nkele and Tshepiso Jabari.The visitors created the first clear-cut opportunity of the match with former Naughty Boys forward Thabani Ngwenya blasting over the posts in the 11th minute.
Moemedi Moatlhaping dragged a freekick narrowly wide before striker Michael Mmelesi was denied by an excellent save from Modipane goalkeeper Oteng Mogapi.
Immediately after Mogapi's save Modipane hit Sharps on the counter-attack and Nkele broke the deadlock in the 21st minute.But the lead was short-lived as Moatlhaping leveled matters from a corner kick taken by captain Monageng Thaele four minutes later.
However, Jabari caught the Sharps defence napping and controlled a freekick from Batlang Sebina before firing into the roof of Richard Musheke's net five minutes before half-time.
Jabari's goal was only the second time that Sharps miserly defence had conceded twice in a single match this season.
Sharps played better in the second half and leveled matters again in the 60th minute through Thaele who skillfully back-heeled a cross by substitute Langa Mabuli past goalkeeper Mogapi.
The Sharps skipper then drove a freekick over the post after Mabuli was fouled, but the hosts managed to secure their passage into the premier league where they will test themselves against big boys like Township Rollers, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Gaborone United next season.
"It was a difficult match today with a lot of pressure on my players and they were anxious. But I congratulate the players, the technical team and the whole Sharps family for the job well done," Sharps coach Keitumetse Paul said after the match.
Modipane United remained in the relegation quagmire on position 11 with 17 points from 21 matches. They must beat Notwane next weekend and hope that Mochudi Rovers lose to escape dropping to regional league structures.
The Kgatleng team's coach Terence Madikwe maintained hope that they would survive relegation.
"We could have won today because we created chances. The performance of my team has improved in the second half of the season compared to the first half and we are going to fight until the bitter end. I still have hope that we can survive," Madikwe said.
Other results: Prisons XI 2-0 Lesirane City, Notwane 2-0 Matebejane, Black Peril 3-1 Mogoditshane Fighters, Mochudi Rovers 0-0 Uniao Flamingo Santos. end