Notwane needs four wins to survive- Nthaga

Kabelo Boranabi | Monday March 7, 2022 16:00

Extension Gunners defender, Katlego Mothibi (in blue) tackles Notwane's left back, Katlego Koobake during the two sides' encounter yesterday PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Nthaga made his Notwane coaching debut yesterday afternoon after making a surprising switch from Mogoditshane Fighters last Thursday. He oversaw his side's 1-1 draw with Extension Gunners in a Botswana Premier League game played at the National Stadium. “To be honest, if you look at quality in the team, Notwane should not be where they are at the moment.

I am hoping we will be able to avoid relegation. The reason why I am here is that I believe I can help them get out of relegation (positions). I think we are left with nine games now and all of those games are like cup finals.

I still believe that if we can get four wins out of the remaining nine games, we will be safe. Luckily for us we have two games against teams that are around us so we need to go and collect those six points,” Nthaga said after the Sunday’s game. Toronto showed intent from the start as early as the first minute when Botshelo Mafoko saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper. Five minutes later, Joseph Pyele thought he had given his side the lead but his goal was ruled for an offside. Gunners’ first attempt at goal came on the 19th minute when Kabelo Babusi delivered a pass to Odirile Lekoba and the goalkeeper superbly denied the latter.

Toronto eventually took the lead on the 28th minute when Pyele controlled well inside the box and slotted home from Mafoko’s cross. Five minutes later, Sthembile Mbuqe set up Mafoko but he shot wide. The home side took a goal lead into the break. On the 55th minute, Aobakwe Tshobo beat advancing goalkeeper but he shot wide of the gaping goal posts.

Gunners’ skipper, Desire Bafana headed over the bar as the team tried to stage a comeback. They got their equaliser three minutes later as substitute, Baokeditswe Talane beat the goalkeeper to the bottom corner to make it 1-1. Six minutes to time, Thato Bolelweng put in a cross for Talane but his header was tipped over the bar by the keeper as the two teams shared spoils on the afternoon. Reacting to the draw, Gunners’ coach, Wame Mokoke thought his side was let down by a poor start to the game.

The Teams:

Notwane: Bophelo Kealeboga, Tshepo Ramhwengwa, Kaelo Kgaswane, Emmanuel Nlu, Katlego Koobake, Thato Moganana (Galabgwe Moyana), Sthembile Mbuqe, Kudzanani Machadzani, Joseph Pyele, Aobakwe Tshobo (Raymond Israel), Botshelo Mafoko (Thato Mogorosi)

Gunners: Isaac Moyo, Obositse Gabadise (Katlego Mothibi), Thato Bolelweng, Ofentse Radikageng, Desire Bafana, Anderson Makolontwana (Baokeditswe Talane), Kabelo Babusi, Omphile Vissage, Dirang Moloi, Kgotso Phuti (Mpho Ramogonono), Odirile Lekoba (Brendon Kenosi)

Notwane 1 (Pyele 28th) Gunners 1 (Talane 70th)