Gunners face players’ revolt
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday March 12, 2024 08:30
Over the weekend, Gunners continued with their winless streak with a 3-0 loss to the title chasing City Polar.
The game that was played at SSG Grounds had to start almost 20 minutes late than the set 4.30pm kick off time as Gunners did not have a playing kit. The team had only 17 players for their match day squad. Nare has since asked his troops to meet the club half way as Gunners continues to reel in dire financial troubles.
“The goalkeeper is not here, he is absent without leave. (Kabo) Matshuba is not here, (Boyo) Lechaena is not here too and there are about five of them who are not here. But they played that Orange FA Cup match. They say they want the money but we lose to teams whose players are not getting paid. Sometimes players should meet Gunners halfway. There is no money in Botswana football; there is no money in the First Division. Sometimes the players have to have their share as much as the coaches and committee are,” Nare told journalists after the game.
The tactician, however, said he will carry the blame and also hinted that the club could part ways with the ‘rebelling’ group. “We have to regroup and prepare for the next match and not cry over spilled milk. I do not think we need such players that would be coming and going because at the end of the day, they would say I have my favourite players so let me just do with the guys I have here and carry on.
There were only 17, so I will carry with the 17 and forget the rest,” said Nare.
Mapantsula were a goal down inside the first minute as Loago Mongadi gave the hosts the lead with a well taken goal. Lucas Motlopi doubled the lead on the 28th minute with a free-kick as the visitors struggled for much of the half. Katlego Bogatsu made it 3-0 for City Polar with three minutes to the break as the hosts went in to recess with a very comfortable lead.
It could have been 4-0 for City Polar eight minutes into the second half when Alex Balisi showed quick feet to beat the goalkeeper but with the goal gaping, he shot over the bar. On the hour mark, Balisi combined well with Motlopi but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper. Wame Marembe was called on action once more on the 72nd minute to parry Motlopi’s free-kick over the bar. The home side was wasteful in the closing stages of the game but clinched the maximum points to stay six points behind leaders, Young Stars.
The teams
City Polar: Mbathi Sithole, Botshelo Tiro, Kealeboga Koko, Boikobo Kebafedile, Tumisang Mokopi, Loago Mongadi, Arthur Coetzee (Kutlo Thobega), Lucas Motlopi, Thapelo Mosugadikobo, Alex Balisi (Chabaesele Mositwane), Katlego Bogatsu (Moemedi Monaka) Gunners: Wame Marembe, Thato Bolelweng, Katlego Mothibi, Benson Mosobanji, Mosimanegape Ntwaetsile, Ofentse Nato, Kgotso Tlholwe (Modiri Kealebetse), Thamiso Gaogangwe, Brian Mankanku, Thuso Keraetswe (Kootshepile Molatole)
City Polar 3 (Mongadi 1st, Motlopi 28th ,Bogatsu 42nd) Gunners 0