30 Mar 2023

Extension Gunners’ dumbfounding winless run has now increased to 17 matches after they threw away a first half dominance and one goal lead to draw 2-2 with Prisons XI in a relegation dogfight played in Lobatse on Wednesday night.

The beleaguered Lobatse side remains rooted at the bottom of the Botswana Premier League log standings following the draw.

They have collected 11 points from 20 matches, making relegation a serious probability for them.

Both teams played disjointed football in the first half, but Gunners controlled much of the possession and were the more offensive side.

 They subsequently took the lead in the 24th minute after a good exchange of passes by several players resulted with striker Vincent Lekorwe collecting the ball inside the penalty area and slotting into the bottom corner.

Prisons threatened to hit back almost immediately, but Mokuye Shakambayo’s well taken goal was flagged offside.

The hosts continued being in the pedestal and had further chances to increase their lead towards the end of the first half, however, the visitors’ goalkeeper Tshepo Mooketsi pulled off good saves to deny Lekorwe and Omphile Vissagie.

Lekorwe also ballooned a great opportunity over the posts after dummying a defender.

The match became an end to end affair after the Warders’ threw caution to the wind and became more attacking in the second half.

Coach Sepheko Motlhagodi’s team cleverly used the craftiness of Kelello Kgosimore, Karabo Setoutwe and Shakambayo to put pressure on the Gunners defence, which was increasingly panicking and committing mistakes.

They equalised in the 70th minute when Kgosimore scored into an unguarded net, after the ball was rolled into the path following a defensive error by Phomolo Moahi.

Things then tuned from bad to worse for Mapantsula as Setoutwe beat goalkeeper Keeagile Kgosipula with a well taken free-kick in the 80th minute after Desire Bafana had committed a foul on Kgosimore on the edge of the penalty area.

However, Gunners were awarded a penalty in the 87th minute after Tumo Lebanna pushed Lekorwe, and the striker calmly slotted the spot-kick to salvage a draw for coach Thabo Motang’s team.

Gunners will attempt to finally get a win when they host defending champions Gaborone United on Sunday afternoon at Lobatse Sports Complex.

Prisons, who are on position 13 after collecting 16 points from 20 matches, will on the other hand, take on Police XI on Saturday.  ENDS