Mongala admits Gunners' daunting task
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday January 30, 2023 15:58
He expressed the views after the team played to a 0-0 stalemate against Prisons XI in a Botswana Premier League match played at the Molepolole Sports Complex on Saturday.
It was Gunners’ ninth game without a win, with their last victory coming way back in November. The team is reeling in the relegation zone, placed 15th and two points away from safety.
Mongala said the team lacks confidence and admitted it is not going to be an easy task to lift the squad. “The guys played very well but firstly what is lacking in the team is the confidence.
These guys have been in a patch of losses, so (today) is a second (consecutive) draw away from home,” Mongala said. “We will take that point as a positive thing. This draw will boost their confidence.
It is very difficult because the mentality of the guys, the psyche is not ticked, in a day so it is going to take some time.” Prisons XI are also on a bad run as they clocked a sixth game without a win.
The Warders sit a point above the red zone. Meanwhile, on Saturday it was Gunners who showed early intentions as in the ninth minute, Kobamelo Kebaikanye shot wide off the post from just outside the box. Six minutes later, the Warders also asked questions of their own with Taelo Nthomiwa beating his man but could not direct his attempt goal wards.
The two teams could not entertain the fans as both sets of players were victims of poor decision making in attack. Three minutes before half-time, Kebaikanye shot over the bar before Omphile Vissagie saw a low drive going inches off the goal. It remained 0-0 at half time. Seven minutes into the second half, Vissagie returned with yet another low taken shot going wide off the target.
At the other end, Kelello Kgosimore was afforded some space in the box but his header went wide off the post in the 57th minute. Substitute, Kaelo Kgaswane was at the end of a good move by Gunners but shot wide off the goal in the 65th minute. Two minutes before time, Vissagie put in a cross to Kgotso Phuti but he headed wide as the teams shared the spoils.
The Teams: Prisons XI: Tshepo Mooketsi, Tshwanelo Mojanaga, Kebatshabile Monthe, Kutlwano Sentsho, Karabo Setoutwe, Kelello Kgosimore (Tumelo Meshack), Kabo Nthoiwa, Loago Mangadi, Taelo Nthomiwa (Jerry Marekwa), Tumo Lebanna, Tumo Keiketlile Gunners: Keeagile Kgosipula, Phomolo Moahi (Modiri Kealebatse), Botlhe Pansiri, Mosimanegape Ntwaetsile, Thato Bolelweng, Ofentse Nato (Thapelo Thebeyame), Omphile Vissagie, Kabo Matshula (Anderson Makolontwana), Kgotso Phuti, Thamiso Gagoanngwe (Kaelo Kgaswane), Kobamelo Kebaikanye Cautions: Lebanna, Mooketsi
Gunners 0 Prisons 0