Last gasp goal leaves Nico on the brink
Chakalisa Dube | Monday March 28, 2022 16:00
The team now accumulated 31 points from 14 games and are yet to lose a match in the Debswana First Division North league this season. They are 13 points ahead of second placed Eleven Angels who were due to play their 14th match yesterday. “This was the most important game in the second round.
Having won it, I do not think that some of the teams will easily stop us. We expected a high intensity game, but my players showed that they are strong characters and have a winning mentality. We are almost guaranteed automatic promotion, but we will not be complacent. It is important for us to remain humble and focused,” Botshelo said. Powered by their talisman forward, Morgan Gaseitsiwe, Nico came from behind to defeat Calendar. Calendar started the match on a very high note and forward Upoga Dekesha could have given them the lead in the 17th minute after connecting with an excellent cross from the left. But his effort was cleared off the goal line.
He also missed a sitter in the 27th minute. Nico started gaining momentum after the 30th minute and their talisman Gaseitsiwe, nearly found the back of the net with a well taken shot from range but he narrowly missed the target. Calendar were given another let off towards the end of the first half when Kudakwashe Tsvamumo’s well executed header was parried back into play by goalie Monkgogi Mokalobae.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 50th when Kemoneetse Mmangwedi’s well taken free-kick beat Nico goalkeeper Thero Seremane on the far right. Nico started piling more pressure at the host's defence and their persistence paid off in the 60th minute when Gaseitsiwe tapped home from close range after good footwork by substitute Bokamoso Masima down the left.
After Nico’s equaliser, goalkeepers from both sides were kept busy and were forced to make several interventions. Nico defender, Seabe Toteng was given his marching orders in the 80th minute after committing a second bookable offence but this did not deter his side from attacking. In the closing stages tension was also visible from the supporters of the two teams who had attended the clash in their numbers.
But it was Nico who found the decisive winner in the in the referee’s optional time (93rd minute). Gaseitsiwe was fouled at the edge of the goal area and he scored from the resultant free-kick sending Majombolo supporters into a frenzy. Gaseitsiwe’s brace took his goal tally for the season to 15.
The teams
Calendar: Monkgogi Mokalabae, Thabo Nganda, Mmangwedi, Mooketsi Chiwini, Maikano Macheng, Oketsang Mochaina, Matlhogonolo Manko, Innocent Mogapi, Upoga Dekesha, Wisani Sibanda Nico: Thero Seremane, Thabo Mosielele, Gothusang Osego, Stephane Mothwalo, Kudakwashe Tsvamumo, Benson Mosokobanji, Johnson Kepaletswe, Mmilili Makwekwe, Seabe Toteng, Motshwari Goitseone, Morgan Gaseitsiwe
Calendar Stars (0) 1 Mmangwedi (50th) Nico (0) 2 Gaseitsiwe 60th, 93rd)