14 May 2018

Prisons XI sealed promotion to the Premier League through the away goals rule despite succumbing to a 1-0 playoffs second leg defeat to Sua Flamingoes on Saturday.

Flamingoes’ victory at a packed SSG Ground in Gaborone forced a 2-2 aggregate stalemate after Prisons XI won the first leg encounter 2-1 last weekend in Sowa Town.

The Warders will now return to top flight football for the first time in five years after succumbing to relegation in 2013.

It was no easy sailing for Philemon Makwengwe and his troops though as Flamingoes dominated the match and went close to scoring inside the first 30 minutes through Monametsi Tsapoga and Lovemore Murirwa.

Flamingoes opened the scoring 10 minutes before recess when Tsapoga beat goalkeeper Bakang Methole from close range after a good interchange of passes between the lively Murirwa and striker Lesego Moiphemedi.

Prisons XI improved after the break but the visitors’ defence, which was marshalled by Gaotwesepe Legoreng stood firm.

The hosts had a strong penalty appeal waved away by referee Tirelo Mositwane after Flamingoes goalkeeper Edwin Mokibe fumbled the ball and appeared to bring down Tuelo Ntlhomiwa inside the penalty area.

Towards the end, Flamingoes applied more pressure in search for a winner but ultimately failed to score a second goal that would have taken them to the Premier League.

The delighted Prisons coach Makhwengwe said the match was tough. He said they planned to contain their opponents on the flanks and prevent them from scoring more than two goals.

Flamingoes coach Dominic Changwe blamed missed chances for their failure to win the playoffs. “They capitalised on our mistakes in the first leg and scored two goals. They have advanced yes but if you look at the complexion of the game itself, I can say that the better team lost. We played a much better game here than at home. Unfortunately we couldn’t get two or three games,” he said. ENDS