04 Feb 2019

Sankoyo Bush Bucks’ efforts to collect maximum points were shattered on February 3 after BDF XI beat them 3-2 in a heated encounter held at Maun Sports Complex.

Since the beginning of the second leg, Sankoyo has been dropping points for three consecutive games and played to a draw with Gaborone United.

The team lost at the hands of Orapa United, Miscellaneous and BR Highlanders respectively and is currently sitting in the red zone.

Although the team seemed rejuvenated as they managed to bring in new players in the likes of Moyenga Chokova from Miscellaneous, Molebeledi Diveve from Western Dynamite and Tshepang Mohutshiwa from Southern Pirates in Kanye.

During their encounter with BDF, the team put on a spirited fight but goals still eluded them.

Diveve was a marvel to watch as he gave the BDF defence a hard time throughout the game, but BDF proved their superiority and drew first blood in the 23rd minute through a corner kick, which found Lovemore Bogatsu in a good position and he headed the ball into the net.

Hardly seven minutes later, Bogatsu again scored as Sankoyo boys were a bit relaxed and lacked composure and thus gave their opponents more room to control the game.

The visitors managed to score the third goal through an easy pass by Abi Ramodiane five minutes before half time.

After recess, both teams continued putting pressure on each other, but Sankoyo maintained their dominance over BDF.

Mphoyamodimo Keipone scored for Ngurungu in the 85th minute through a free kick while in the dying minutes, Diveve managed to sneak in between BDF defenders and touch the ball past goalkeeper, Tumiso Mashakola to make it 3-2.

The winning team head coach, Nelson Setshwane gave credit to Sankoyo Bush Bucks acknowledging that the youthful team gave his boys a hard time from the onset.

He also commended his boys for collecting maximum points, noting that their game plan worked as they wanted to score in the first half.

“We had a new plan which we wanted to execute and we are happy that we managed to see both positives and negatives, and we will go back to the drawing board to improve where necessary,” he added.

Setshwane said his team lacked in the defence department as there was a lapse, hence their rivals put more pressure and managed to score the two goals.

Sankoyo coach, Tiiso Gadimang said his boys played well in the first 15 minutes of the game but they were not more aggressive hence they missed many chances.

He admitted that things were tough in every encounter citing loss of experienced players as a contributing factor to their poor performance.

The team is left with 11 games and Tiiso said if they could win seven, chances of remaining in the league would be high.

He said his boys needed motivation to win the remaining games adding that “we still stand a chance to avoid relegation.” ENDS