Six weeks into season, two coaches bite dust
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday December 4, 2021 06:00
On Wednesday, Notwane announced that they have parted ways with the head coach, Oupa Kowa following a string of poor results. Toronto have just won one game and lost five.
They have also been knocked out of the Orange FA Cup. The Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Premier League newbies, Masitaoka was Kowa’s last straw as assistant coach, Tebogo Maotonyane and goalkeeper coach Pollen Busang have been temporarily put in charge of the team. Kowa follows Extension Gunners’ former mentor, Molefe Motlhale who was relieved from duties after just three games.
He had led the team to three consecutive defeats.
Kowa’s Notwane sit second from bottom in the standings and scored just three goals whilst conceding 16, the second-highest in this campaign. Traditionally, coaches in the local league are 'living in a backpack’. It was evident in the previous campaign as a total of 30 tacticians made it to the technical bench. Of the 16 league teams, only six have remained with their coaches from the start until the end of the league campaign. The 2021-2022 season is quietly settling into a two-horse race.
It has been explosive starts for Gaborone giants, Township Rollers and Gaborone United (GU), throwing fans in the city into a frenzy. The midweek round of the games has sent Rollers to the summit of the log, ousting city rivals, GU. Popa were in a menacing mood on Wednesday at the Lobatse Sports Complex when they ran out as 5-0 victors over Mahalapye Railway Highlanders.
Just on his second league start, Motsholetsi Sikele opened the scores for Rollers before Lemponye Tshireletso doubled the lead with his third of the campaign. Phenyo Serameng, Tlhalefo Molebatsi and former Highlanders’ boy, Bame Morwalela completed the ‘chesa mpama’ over the Mahalapye side. The win sent Rollers to the top with 16 points from six games. The team has just lost two points in this campaign in their 2-2 draw against Security Systems a fortnight ago. The Blues are a point ahead of their rivals, the Reds. GU on Tuesday evening saw their unbeaten streak broken.
They have had a perfect start to this campaign registering five wins in as many games while keeping clean sheets in all encounters. Moyagoleele lost 2-1 to BDF XI on Tuesday. The team had started the match on their usual high, as they held a 1-0 lead at recess thanks to Takunda Sadiki's goal. Two goals in the second half from Keeagile Kobe and Oratile Taunyane ensured Matebele walked out of the Lobatse Sports Complex with maximum points as GU dropped points for the first time. Matebele have now moved to the fourth spot, three points behind Rollers. Ahead of BDF XI sits Orapa United.
The team had to come from a goal behind to beat Sua Flamingoes 3-2 on Tuesday. Flamingoes remain in the top eight half on the seventh spot on 10 points. Gunners have gotten out of the relegation positions with their second successive win.
They beat Security Systems 2-0 with Wame Mokoke’s third game in charge. Police XI were held to a 1-1 draw by Mogoditshane Fighters as Morupule Wanderers returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Gilport Lions. Reigning champions, Jwaneng Galaxy beat Prisons XI 2-1 on Wednesday.