03 Feb 2019

Extension Gunners interim head coach, Pontsho ‘Piro’ Moloi says he enjoys the challenge of guiding the Lobatse football giants.  

Moloi was put in temporary charge last month after the club decided not to continue with former coach, Enos Mmesi. Gunners have shown positive signs since Moloi took over, winning two and drawing two from four matches while playing a good brand of football. 

After seeing his team coast to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Black Forest on Saturday at Lobatse Sports Complex, Moloi declared himself pleased with the way things were going. 

“I am really thankful to the boys. They are putting everything into it. More than winning today, I am happy about winning playing the way we are supposed to play. I am happier about the output of the boys more than the result itself. We had our chances and scored, when the game called us to defend we did that well, when the game called us to go forward we did it well. We retained the ball well and knocked it around,” said Moloi. 

He said he was relishing rather than being intimidated by leading a big brand like Gunners in his first ever job as a head coach. 

“I have always lead people. Remember when I played for Centre Chiefs I was the captain. It is the same thing, here I lead from the dugout with the help of everybody at the club. The job is good. It is much easier with the help of everyone and the support from the crowd, so I am enjoying it. But it is one step at a time. I have a good mixture of experience and youth, the combination comes out very well,” he said. 

Gunners dominated the match and took the lead in the 26^th minute through Ogomoditswe Sitang, who collected a long pass on the left flank and went past Katlego Mmolotsi before slotting a low finish past goalkeeper Lame Tladinyane. 

Forest had a chance to level matters soon after but Koketso Modisane headed straight at goalkeeper Katlego Mbise. Tladinyane then saved a well taken free-kick by Oabile Makopo to prevent Gunners from doubling the lead.  

Lungisani Fanyana collected a pass from Kudzanai Machadzani and beat Tladinyane with a low shot to seal victory six minutes into the second half. 

It was Fanyana’s third goal in three consecutive matches after he also scored against Gaborone United and BR Highlanders. 

The victory solidified Gunners’ position in eighth spot with 28 points from 19 matches. The defeat for Forest left them at the bottom of the log with 12 points.   

Forest coach Reetsang Letlole said he was concerned with their position on the log. 

He said the boys failed to execute their game plan well. 

“We had instructed our full backs to close all spaces in the flanks because Gunners is dangerous on the wings. But we failed to close the gaps and they scored their first goal from the side. We need to add more experienced players before the transfer window closes,” said the coach. Ends