02 Sep 2018

Sharps Shooting Stars registered their third consecutive win after beating Orapa United 1-0 in a BTC Premiership game played at University of Botswana Stadium on September 1.

A solo goal by Tshepo Malgas in the 84^th minute ensured that Sharps Shooting Stars are top of the league with nine points after winning all their games.

It seems Shooting Stars are determined this season given that they opened their season by beating Gaborone United 3-1.

Two of the  goals were scored by Malgas who did not enjoy much game time last season as he played less than five games with Sharps.

Mochudi Centre Chiefs were also not spared by Sharps in the second game as they were humiliated 3-0.

One would have thought that Orapa United with the crop of players they fielded on the day will stop Sharps against embarrassing the so-called big teams.

Orapa had the likes of Omatla Kebatho, Kobamelo Kabaikanye, Thabang Mosige, Gofaone Mabaya and Kealeboga Molebatsi who could have buried Sharps had they utilised all their scoring opportunities but that was not the case.

Equally, Sharps Shooting Stars could have wrapped the game in the first half, but their players also missed chances forcing the game to go into recess after a goalless play.

In the second stanza, both teams came determined as they continued to frequent both goal posts, but it was Sharps Shooting Stars who scored the only goal just six minutes before full time.

Orapa United Bongani Mafu said in an interview that his players failed to use their scoring chances, adding that what worsened their situation was an early injury to their defender Kabo Mungabe.

“Our early injury made us not to use our creative midfielder Tendai Nyamusi who was seating on the bench. We had to put in a striker but it did not work for us,” he said.

He however said he was confident that they had built a strong team, and what they needed to do was to relax, work, plan and approach their game without panicking.

Sharps Shooting Stars assistant coach, Kentse Motlhala said he was happy with his charges performance.

He said players followed their game plan given that they were cognizant that their opponents had strength of ball possession.

Furthermore, he said their approach was to block in front of their defence so that they do not penetrate easily.

He said their plan was also to deny them a goal, adding that they knew it would frustrate Orapa.

In other games played on August 31, BDF XI beat Security Systems 3-0 in Lobatse while in Molepolole Extension Gunners beat troubled Gaborone United 2-1.

On September 1, Prisons XI earned three points after beating Black Forest 4-1 at Botswana Police College. In the mining town of Jwaneng, Galaxy and Township Rollers played to a goalless draw, while Prisons XI registered their first win away from home, beating Sankoyo Bush Bucks 2-1. ENDS