21 Oct 2018

Phillimon Makhwengwe marked his return as Gaborone United (GU) gaffer with an emphatic 3-0 win over his former employers Prisons XI in a BTC Premiership match played at Molepolole Sports Complex on October 20.

Aside from maximum points at stake, the fixture was quite compelling given the merry-go-round of the coach, with Makhwengwe having parted ways with Prisons weeks before the FIFA International week, the stage was set for both parties to put one past their sour parting as it seemed.

Most crucially for Makwhengwe, this was a chance to headline his return on the hearts of the GU followers who have been in the woods for some time now.
Prisions XI started the encounter as the better side with their Ugandan midfielder Deus Bukenya bossing the midfield and orchestrating fluid play from one end of the field to the other.

Gu’s first sniff at goal came on the 15th minute after Patrick Kabamba was brought down in the box. Obonwe Maome stepped forward to convert the spot-kick giving Gaborone United 1-0 lead.

The goal seemed to have lifted Gaborone United players’ confidence on the ball as they started to take charge while their counterparts were still reeling after conceding from a penalty. Dirang Moloi and Ogomoditse Bauleni combined well to bring stability to the midfield and kept Gaborone United on the ball for most of the proceedings. The encounter went to recess with Makhwengwe’s men still on the driving seat with a slender lead.

After the halftime break, GU continued where they left off as Maome and Mandla Mgadla continued to torment Prisons on the wings in search of a cushion goal. GU nearly doubled their lead following a well-constructed interchange between Kabamba but Maome’s shot whiskered just inches wide.

Instantly, Prisons made a change introducing Martin Opolot for Deus Bukenya in efforts to try and search for parity.Prisons first threat at goal came on the hour mark after a good combination of passes between Tiroyaone Maome and Mompati Motshudi on the edge of the box, Motshudi’s shot was comfortably held by Goitseone Phoko between the sticks.

Gaborone United’s relentless pressure on the wings paid off after Mgadla found himself clear off the goal with the keeper to beat, the former Gunners winger made no mistake as slotted the ball past the keeper to make 2-0. With Prisons now in search of pulling one back they were caught on a swift counter as Moloi teed up a through ball for Tshepo Maikano who was on a monstrous overlapping run on the right-hand side.

The right-back just like Mgadla kept his composure and converted the opportunity to keep the game beyond Prisons reach at 3-0. Realising the points were safe in the bag Makhwengwe brought in fresh legs in Jackie Mothatego and Kutlo Molelowamodimo for Moloi and Obonwe Maome.

Despite a late surge by Prisons XI in the dying minutes of the encounter, GU defence was able to see off the game with a well-deserved clean sheet.
Prisons caretaker Coach Ernest Dintwe was adamant that it was always going to be a challenge coming up against their former coach.

“We started well despite trailing at halftime only to give two quick goals that sealed our fate, I believe it was concentration lapse because we have always had a challenge with that side of the game,” he said.

The coach was quick to justify that the team committee has resolved to stall on looking for a new coach to replace Mkhwengwe and just wait for sometime.

Makhwengwe shared his delight over his return to Gaborone United but most importantly on getting maximum points on his first game in charge. “I am happy to be here and I must say I am grateful to the Gaborone united family they have shown great faith in me but I must also thank the players for today’s win it was an emotional game,” explained Makhwengwe. Ends