30 Jan 2019

Police XI head coach, Michael Sithole has praised his team’s fighting spirit after producing another gallant fight to force a share of the spoils in the 1-1 BTC Premiership stalemate with BDF XI at Lobatse Sports Complex on January 29.

‘The Jungle Kings’ went behind in the seventh minute when ‘Matebele’ defender Pelontle Lerole headed home a corner kick from Botsalo Oatlhotse.

Police fought back to play good brand of short passing football with veteran playmaker Betsho ‘Gama’ Pius orchestrating things from midfield with the likes of Letlhogonolo Senwelo, Alephus Nyambi and youngster Mpho Kgomo.

They created numerous goal scoring opportunities with in form striker, Kekaetswe Moloi denied at close range by BDF goalkeeper Tumiso Mashakola in the 12th minute.

Tapiwa Gadibolae fired wide from the edge of the box, while Lerole’s cleared against the post as Police applied pressure.

Nyambi also sent a header over the post from a good cross by Otsile Batang.

Youngster Thato Kananyo failed to increase ‘Matebele’s’ lead midway through the first half by shooting wide from a good position.

Sithole brought on Bonolo Fraiser for Nyambi, Letumile Molebatsi for Letsweletse Leririma, and Katlego Masole for Senwelo in the second half as Police continued their dominance.

Kgomo levelled matters in the 69th minute with a half volley from the edge of the box after connecting with a pass from Moloi.

Pius then fired an easy opportunity over the post in the 75th minute, while Molebatsi dragged wide as Sithole’s men searched for the winner.  

However, BDF had opportunities to score a later goal but substitute Moatlhodi Ralesota was denied by Lesego Bosekeng’s brilliant save, while Keagile Kobe shot over the post while unmarked in stoppage time. It was the second match in a row that Police rescued something from a losing position.

They were also two down in their previous encounter against Gaborone United before striker Kekaetswe ‘Mara’ Moloi scored a hat-trick to pinch victory.    

“I am happy with the boys. They don’t give up hope. They always come back when we are down. Last time we were two goals down and we came back and won the match. This time we were one down and we could have won the game, but this is football. Sometimes luck is not on your side,” said Sithole.  

However, the coach expressed concern that his team gave away cheap goals early in matches.

“We are allowing silly mistakes and we don’t close opponents quickly. We are being scored goals very early, goals which are not supposed to be scored. We put ourselves under pressure,” he said.

BDF coach, Nelson Setshwane said his team lacked a leader in midfield.  He said both his left and right wingers saw plenty of the ball but didn’t utilise it well.

“We could have won the game if we had used the openings we had in midfield,” he said. ENDS