26 Apr 2017

 In the quest to survive relegation from the elite BTC premiership, Mahalapye United Hotspurs weighed their fortes against Gaborone United by holding them to a one all draw at Molepolole Sports Complex on April 25 night.
An encounter that both teams could not live up to the expectations after displaying a dismal performance from the whole first half, both failing to even keep the ball for a little longer.
Just when it seemed all was lost, it was Gaborone United who switched into top gear to show when they started to dominate the game.

Kabelo Seakanyeng floated a teasing cross into the box that zipped past Hotspurs goalkeeper and it met Tumisang Orebonye alone  who failed to utilise it.
 Clearly it was visible that Hotspurs’ game plan was to catch Gaborone United on the counter attack, but that did not work for them as Gaborone United mounted pressure on them until heading into break with zero level.
 The early second half strike of Tumisang Orebonye, who calmly smashed a close range effort into the back of the net after receiving the ball alone in the box just a few minutes after it was introduced, was not enough to bag maximum points as they could think.
Their goal switched on Hotspurs who had now sprung to life as they started terrorising their counterparts from all departments with attempts to level the score.

There was a kind of crushing inevitability about the way Hotspurs were now rising to the occasion leaving Gaborone United a bit lost and overstretched on their own half.
It was a portrait of determination and ambition of surviving relegation by Hotspurs.
Prior to a formidable defence and a breathless contest by GU midfield that denied several Hotspurs attempts looked like it would be settled especially after Jefferey Sikapite stepped in and brought life to GU striking force with his potency but was unable to change the score board.
Home fans were sent wild when Hotspurs levelled the score in the 70th minute after Lesego Motlhabankwe received the ball alone from a tremendous counter attack launch and unleashed a bullet from close range that left Goitseone Phoko in no position to deal with it.

GU had a big chance that could get them back in front after Jeffery Sikapite fired a beautiful shot heading to the top corner, but Keletso Chalashika superbly cleared it away to ensure that they grab a point from a thrilling second half.
Despite their comeback to the contest that brought about hopes of surviving relegations, Mahalapye Hotspurs head coach, Candy Tshebong expressed disappointment after the night outing that beared a draw.
He said it was important for his side to bag maximum points as they were sitting at the bottom of the league table, emphasising that if they could slip they would relegate.
He said playing against a big team like GU was never going to be an easy job although their mission was to win the match to put them in a better position.

Meanwhile, Gaborone United coach, Rodolph Zapata praised his players for sticking to the tactics as planned. He said his side was dominant with so many chances missed that could have sealed them a victory.
“We played well according to tactics, we dominated them but they were very strong and competitive.
I tried to apply different tactics to contain them, unfortunately they utilised the chance they got and levelled the score,” said Zapata.
The Argentinean mentor also emphasised the danger of playing against teams sitting on the relegation zone as they get extra strong in each game in their mission to escape. ENDS