02 May 2017

Gilport Lions and Security Systems played to a 1-1 draw in a fascinating BTC Premiership match at Molepolole Sports Complex over the weekend.

It was absolutely a crucial point that powered Lions’ ambitions of surviving relegation after slipping in the bottom three of premier league table recently.

However, premiership rookie, Systems who came with gun blazing in the first half are in position eight, favoured by Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ loss against Sankoyo Bush Bucks.

Lions were left to rue Patrick Kaunda’s missed goal opportunity on the first minute after Tumelo ‘Di Maria’ Mazebedi punished them with a stunning header utilising from a free kick cross to give the visitors an early lead on the 16th minutes.

Systems slightly dominated the opening half of the thrilling encounter, with Mazebedi and Nkago Ntila combining well upfront to pose a scintillating threat to the home side, but they struggled to penetrate and double the lead.

The visitors outplayed the home side stretching them to their side with brilliant short passes.

Prior to pressure that was mounted and struggling to create clear-cut chances, Lions resorted to air balls and long-range shots, hoping to beat Systems’ goalkeeper Mmoloki Sedimo.

Lions could have levelled matters when Kaunda received a through pass that found him one on one with Systems’ goalkeeper, but his effort went over the roof.

Jackie Mothathego was also awarded a free-kick on a dangerous spot in the dying minutes of the first half but unluckily his shot went wide just near the left bar before half time.

An entertaining second-half followed with the two sides creating good goal scoring opportunities as Lions looked for an equaliser, while Systems wanted to rap the Sunday contest.

The home side scored an equaliser through Kaunda who gleefully tapped in his effort from Unobatsha Mbaiwa’s brilliant pass that was squared to the box area on the 70th minutes.

In an interview, Lions coach Paradzayi Mandivenga said he was impressed with a point accumulated against a tough Systems’ side.

"It was a tense game, looking at the fact that we are down the relegation zone, so we didn’t want to slip this game. I am happy with a point more especially against a strong Security Systems team that have been playing well scoring goals so the point really put a brief fight”, he said.

In another BTC Premiership encounter, BDF XI left Gaborone United gutted after whipping them 2-1.

The military giants recorded a crucial victory that secured them a top 8 spot out of a controversial match that could have went either way following series of unutilised chances created by both teams. ENDS