03 Feb 2014

Extension Gunners coach, Mike Sithole is optimistic that his team will survive the relegation axe after their 3-0 win against fellow relegation candidates, Tafic.

In a game played in front of a full capacity Francistown stadium on February 1, Sithole’s team humiliated Matjimenyenga by scoring three goals in the first half and killing the game as a contest.

Leading the assault on Tafic were new signings, Pako Modikwa and Francis Kanda who scored the first and third goals respectively in the 22nd and 42nd minutes.

The duo appeared intent on stamping their authority at their new club which has been having a bad season. To show that they were on a mission to collect the maximum three points and leave their relegation partners to face the dreaded axe alone, Gunners took control of the game from the onset.

They won the midfield battle and mounted pressure on their opponent’s defence which has been porous since the departure of Ogomoditse Kobe. Although youngsters, Obey Kgomo and Daniel Taboka had been ropped in to fill the void in defence, their impact was minimal as they were unable to contain pressure.

When he realised that  the host’s  defence was in shambles, Tshepo ‘Schoolboy’ Molefe resorted to taking long range shots from every opportunity which came his way. He was rewarded in the 31st minute as he scored the second goal from an indirect free kick which scaled Tafic’s four man wall.    

Sithole said they had been struggling to score goals, and that prompted him to reinforce his striking force so that they could have a better run in the second round as it was crucial for them to survive the chop.

“Without scoring goals, no results can come forth hence we needed strikers that could bang in the goals for us,” stressed Sithole. He said with their second win away, their target of winning four more games was reachable. He said four more victories for the Lobatse based team will ensure their survival and even push their way into the top 8.

The two consecutive wins, Sithole noted, was going to boost the morale of the players and spur them to always play for a win. ENDS