31 Jan 2019

Gaborone United’s indifferent form continued with a 1-1 league draw against spirited Extension Gunners on January 30 at Lobatse Sports Complex.

GU finished the match with 10 men after centre-back Tshepo Maikano received a second booking for handling the ball to stop a Gunners counter-attack in the 80th minute.

In their previous three matches, ‘Moyagoeele’ lost 2-0 to Township Rollers, 3-2 to Police XI, as well as being held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Sankoyo Bush Bucks.

Gunners was the better side in the first 20 minutes and took a sixth minute lead through striker Lungisani Fanyana, who headed into an unguarded net after Goitseone Phoko failed to claim a cross from Kabelano Mooketsane. It was Fanyana’s second goal.

Mooketsane sustained an injury soon after and was replaced by youngster Baokeditswe Talane.

Gunners piled more pressure with Zimbabwe’s midfielder Kudzanai Machadzani and Obonye Moswate pulling strings in midfield. Phoko produced a great save to prevent Ogomoditswe Sitang from doubling the lead midway through the first half.

‘Moyagoleele’ managed to click in the last 15 minutes of the first half and laid siege on the Gunners posts, forcing Finkie Mothibi to produce a last ditch tackle to deny Patrick Kabamba an equalizer in the 40th minute.

Gunners’ goalkeeper, Katlego Mbise pulled a good save from Kgamanyane after the attacker was sent through by Dirang Moloi, while Kgamanyane and Kabamba wasted two good opportunities to level matters.

With Gunners playing a disciplined game and waiting for opportunities to hit on the counter attack, GU continued dominating possession in the second half but ran out of ideas inside the penalty area.

GU eventually leveled matters in the 72nd minute after Moloi found space behind badly positioned Gunners’ centre-backs, Desire Bafana and Mmoloki Kebalepile, and tucking the ball past the exposed Mbise.

The goal was Moloi’s third goal of the campaign.

With GU surging forward in search of a winner, Gunners’ interim coach, Pontsho Moloi brought on Ofentse Mmipi for youngster Brian Mankanku to stabilise his midfield, but the veteran playmaker wasted a glorious opportunity to seal victory in the dying minutes after being released by Talane following a devastating Gunners counter-attack.

The result continued Pontsho Moloi’s unbeaten run as Gunners’ interim head coach.

In two previous matches under him, Gunners have beaten BR Highlanders 2-1 and drawn 1-1 with Mochudi Centre Chiefs.

Gunners remained on position seven with 25 points from 18 matches while GU remained in position nine with 20 points from 18 matches.

Meanwhile, Gunners welcome Black Forest tomorrow at Lobatse Sports Complex in the afternoon while GU will lock horns with Orapa United at Molepolole Sports Complex. ENDS