MAPANTSULA STUN MAGOSI
29 Aug 2026
As the fourth official picked up the substitution board to display five added minutes after 90 minutes of Mochudi Centre Chiefs facing Extension Gunners, supporters of the Lobatse side started singing, "Re Tsile Go Betsa Go Utlwala."
The National Stadium Eastern Panda Stand rose in unison, sensing that Gunners was about to complete a hard fought and deserved solitary goal triumph over pre-season title favourites Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
And they did.
A first half Tefo Aleseng goal was sufficient to hand Gunners their first three points as the 2026-27 FNB Premiership campaign commenced with Mapantsula defeating Magosi 1-0.
Gunners took the game to Chiefs from the start of an evenly balanced first half.
South African midfielder Miguel Dias, former Orlando Pirates Reserves and Sekhukhune United player who has joined Gunners in the off season gave Mapantsula shape in the middle of the park.
Early into the contest, Aleseng nodded in a ball whipped into the box to open Gunners' account.
As Chiefs tried to claw their way back, Kelvin Ndebele and Omphile Vissagie tried to move the ball forward for Magosi.
But a first half of minimal opportunities ended with Gunners a goal to the good.
Play opened up more in the second half as Chiefs came out in a more attacking mode. The introduction of Brazillian Kennedy Xavier Da Costa breathed life into Moagosi.
As Chiefs pushed numbers forward, Gunners dropped back to utilise a low block while periodically looking for counter attacking space on the transition.
On the hour mark, the Chiefs rearguard had to block the ball on the line as Gunners forward Chivese Kesekile tried to strike on the counter.
In the 65th minute, Da Costa teed in a cross from the left flank, locating Chiefs right back Tefo Mofokeng deep in the box, who could only connect with a timid header, Gunners goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe easily collecting
By the 72nd minute there was a wave after wave of Chiefs attack and Dambe had to tip over the bar a ball curled in from the edge of the box by Da Costa.
In the 75th minute Magosi captain Kgaswane calmly trapped the ball in the box before taking aim at goal, forcing Dambe into a crucial save.
Two minutes later a tricky ball played in from the Chiefs' right flank, saw Dambe make a one had save, the ball richocheting off the post and back into play.
To ease presssure, Gunners managed to prise open a counter attack; a Kesekile cross locating Pako "Pedro" Gaofose who headed im from close range, only for Chiefs goal minder Keeagile Kgosipula to pull off a save.
A minute later Gaofose came close once more but shoots wide from deep within the Chiefs danger zone.
With 3 minutes left, Chiefs had the ball in the back of the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Thereafter, Kgaswane tore into the box and just as he was about to unleash a shot at goal, the Gunners backline retreated and made a crucial intervention.
The Gunners faithful broke into song as their side emerged from their match day one outing 1-0 victors. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Pako Lebanna
Location : Gaborone
Event : Premiere league game
Date : 29 Aug 2026
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