12 Feb 2024

Promotion to the premier league for UB Hawks is not a far-fetched dream, and is something that could be achieved.

This is according to assistant coach, Vincent Dlamini in a post-match interview after matching former premier league giants, Extension Gunners pound for pound and emerging with a 1-all draw at the SSG grounds on Sunday.

Dlamini indicated that having completed the first round of the league and played against all teams in their division, they had now gauged themselves and better know what was required to compete.

“We are new in this division but we play just like everybody else. It is a tough division and if you look at all the teams, we all have a chance of being champions,” he said.  Dlamini also indicated with confidence that Hawks would henceforth be a difficult team to beat.

He also said he was happy with the way his boys contained Gunners, preventing them from launching any fast-breaks from the back that they so prefer.

For his part, Gunners coach, Chicco Nare also felt that an even score was a fair result for both teams.

“It was an even game although I feel that were we to win it, we would have won it in the first quarter where we missed a lot of chances. We were not predatory enough because my strikers wanted to control every ball that came to them,” he said.

Like Dlamini, Nare also said the league championship was still wide open and said the draw would not dent his team’s chances of the championship.

“The league is a marathon and it is one game at a time. As long as you do not throw them all away, you remain hopeful. If you look at the way the log is right now, there is still a lot to play for,” he said.

After Week 13, Jwaneng Young Stars are still perched at the top of the log, although their lead was trimmed after a poor start from the festive break.

Young Stars have accumulated 25 points so far from 13 games, with Union Flamingo Santos breathing hard on them with 22 points and a game to spare.

City Polar are on position three with 21 points while Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Gunners occupy positions four and five respectively with 19 points each.

Chiefs also has a game in hand. URI Black Forest complete the top six with 17 points, although they are trickling down the log as they have lost their last three games. ENDS