20 Nov 2017

Former Extension Gunners FC captain and playmaker now turned coach on November 19 promised to knuckle down to his boys’ failure to convert scoring opportunities into goals ahead of their Mascom Top 8 Cup campaign against Gaborone United (GU) next week.

Tumie Duicker told BOPA in an interview after his boys beat Black Forest FC 2-0 during an anxious BTC premiership match played at the New Lobatse Sports Complex.

Duicker who lost 1-0 to GU a week ago, was worried that out of 10 clear cut scoring opportunities, they created yesterday against the run of play, the boys struggled to nail the two, after a barren first half.

Duicker’s second half master stroke produced the two match winners when he introduced hitman Kenanao Flo Kgetholetsile and Ofentse Mmipi.

Mmipi who replaced Kudzanai Machazani scored the first goal through a spot kick which was technically created by Kgetholetsile inside the box. 

The experienced goal poacher had smashed the ball against an inexperienced young defender’s stretched hand to get a crucial goal which also became a turning point for his team. 

A few minutes on, true to form, Kgetholetsile extended the lead after a tricky exchange with Mandla Mgadla on the right flank.Mmipi, Mgadla and workhorse Francis Olaki flaked out Forest defence at will.

Olaki, arguably the best foreign attacker Gunners has acquired in a very long time, after the days of Diego Francis Chisenga and Edison Muluba, symbolised energy and hardwork in the team. 

Reality of the premier league seems to be fast taking a toll on Forest who were, by all intents and purposes, a force to reckon with during their maiden season into top range football. 

Forest, like any newcomer would, came to the elite league last season with innocent expectations of causing a stir, and they did, in fact and indeed.

This time last season coach Reetsang Letlole’s boys had collected 19 points against 11 this season.

Letlole who aims to finish the first round with at least 20 points in his pocket said his campaign this season was dogged by injuries.

He is of the view that teams that seal the first round with 20 points or more usually stand a far better chance of booking themselves a place within the Top 8 bracket. Letlole plans to beef up his squad with two, three attackers when the next registration window opens. ENDS