11 Feb 2013

Killer Giants were on Saturday held to a one-all draw by relegation contenders, Gabane United in their first division south encounter.

The tepid game played under hot temperatures at Siga grounds marked each team’s first competitive match this year, after the league went into recess last year.

The Gabane side, currently rooted at the bottom of the log, were the first to break the deadlock 24 minutes from kick off through Phillip Rakala’s well executed free kick. Eight minutes later, the home side silenced the visitors when Kabelo Mokgatlhane converted a well-crafted move to make the score 1-1.

After halftime, both teams pushed forward but it was the home side which enjoyed possession with more chances to score.

In an interview, Killer Giants coach, Njenje Dlamini attributed his team’s poor showing to the off-season break, arguing that most players were off-tempo. “We gave the ball away too easily, we knew Gabane United would play long balls,” he said. He said their failure to play a passing game was their main undoing.

Dlamini further pointed out that playing a team at the bottom of the log was always difficult because they fought with all they had to avoid the dreadful relegation zone.

Despite dropping two points, he remained optimistic that they would eventually close the gap between his side and the top four teams and even vie for promotion to the elite league.

“Our aim is to finish the league at least at position two. We believe there is that possibility because we have a strong defence,” he said.

On the other hand, Gabane United coach, Innocent Ranku was satisfied with his team’s performance, particularly because they lost almost half of the team during the transfer window. “Most of these boys are inexperienced and we were playing against an experienced side,” said Ranku.

The former Zebras player also noted that they had planned for an early goal which they scored, but inexperience cost them because they failed to continue scoring more goals.

Nonetheless, he said they would continue to work hard to move away from the relegation zone. ENDS