Gunners dared not to go down
Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday January 22, 2025 06:00
On Saturday afternoon, Gunners played to a 1-1 draw against Mochudi Centre Chiefs in an FNB Premiership match played at the Lobatse Sports Complex. Mapantsula moved slightly from the relegation positions as they made it to 12 points but are only above relegation placed, Security Systems on goal difference. It was a spirited performance by the struggling giants as they formally welcomed new club investor, Ally Kgomongwe, a South African businessman. Kgomongwe watched the draw from the VIP box and at full time he embraced the fans at the ‘Panda’ stand. Monnawanoka admitted the Pretoria-based mogul’s arrival boosted the team’s morale.
He said from the weekend’s draw, they can only hope for a much improved display as the second round of the league starts. “The investor has told us to just avoid relegation. So what we doing now is to fight to avoid relegation, that is our only target. We need to reinforce our attack, as you have noticed we can play the ball in the midfield and we are solid at the back, and we do not concede that much. The problem is upfront; we are still struggling to bury those chances so we need a striker,” said Monnawanoka.
He faced a Chiefs side that is having a moment of its own as club legend, Pontsho Moloi, returned to the side after seven years of absence. The two teams attracted a fair crowd and it was a clash reminiscent of yesteryears. The first half did not reflect the motivation from off the field as the two teams failed to create clear cut chances. From a dull first half, Bogosi Mfila met a low cross from the left and with the goal gaping he shot wide five minutes into second, while minutes later, Pako Gaofose hit the side net. Gunners’ Patrick Kaunda dribbled in to the box and centred a pass to Letsile Montsho but it was cut short by the keeper in the 58th minute. Chiefs remains winless under the new management while the Kgomogwe-era has begun with a draw.
The teams
Gunners: Kabelo Kuti, Kabelo Madisa, Thato Bolelweng, Onkarabile Bogatsu, Mbase Ngakaetsile, Ofentse Nato (Ogomoditse Sitang), Kgopolo Gaseleme, Ronny Legaetse, Patrick Kaunda (Thuso Keraetswe, George Simbayabaya, Letsile Montsho
Chiefs: Tumisang Selolwane, Happy Pilane (Cebo Meyiwa), Kgosietsile Ernest, Thami Zulu, Kennedy Amutenya, Anorld Obuseng, Bakang Mpatane (Bogosi Mfila), Keitumetse Samunzala, Lebopo Moremi, Khumoetsile Kufingwa (Pako Gaofose), Monty Enosa (Dirang Moloi)
Gunners 0 Chiefs 0