Calendar Stars shine into Premier League
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday June 17, 2025 14:05
The Francistown-based outfit came into the second leg of the promotional playoffs riding high on a 3-0 cushion from the first leg. The team had to hold on against Young Stars to sail in to the elite league on aggregate score. The tie played at Galaxy Stadium on Saturday afternoon saw the home side winning 2-0, failing by just a goal as Calendar Stars booked their place among the elite 16 teams on a 3-2 aggregate score. Young Stars at home, were on the front foot from the first whistle as the visitors managed to keep them at bay for most parts of the first half. The home side nearly got the opener with just two minutes beore the break as Thabo Molefe had his shot parried back in Kgotso Radithongwa’s path but the latter missed the goal with the net gaping. The two teams went in to break level at 0-0 with the home side in need of three goals in the second half.
Radithongwa with just four minutes to the second half had his volleyed attempt miss the goal by a whisker. The home side eventually got their goal on the 54th minute when Thato Ookeditse curled the ball in to the bottom far corner. From the opener, it was one sided attack with time running out against Young Stars as they chased a two goal deficit. The team made it 2-0 on the 80th minute when Laone Selaolo pin pointed Karabo Seleinyane with a cross and the substitute, unmarked in the box, beat the keeper with a powerful effort. The goal set up an intense final 10 minutes but the visitors’ defensive prowess ensured they gain their maiden Premier League status.
Speaking to Sport Monitor after the game, Calendar Stars’ head coach, Joseph Mokgacha believes his side finished the job in the first leg in Francistown but admitted they needed a fair share of luck in the Saturday’s clash. “They were very good and they were dangerous and I would like to believe that it was not their year to get promoted. We had the toughest game ever and this is the first we conceded two goals in a run of eight games. So I believe that the 3-0 we won in Francistown helped us to cross the line,” said Mokgacha.
The teams:
Young Stars: Issac Moyo, Laone Selaolo, Mokaedi Ditsie, Roy Omphile, Zidane Kofa, Thato Bannani (Ontiretse Ranthaken), Darren Matshuba (Karabo Seleinyane), Kgotso Radithongwa, Thabang Aphiri, Thabo Molefe (Phenyo Keaja), Thato Ookeditse
Calendar Stars: Tambani Bachopi, Ndiimi Bahayesi, Fikile Motlhabi (Moemedi Mphuchane), Oaboloka Mugibelo, Foda Omphile, Tsotlhe Sekgopi, Mogomotsi Madome (Thabo Mokgosi), Kago Kaizer, Dickson Alufai, Goitseone Mponang (Namibo Danaye), Gomotsang Simon
Cautions: R.Omphile, Bannani, Ditsie, F. Omphile, Madome, Simon, Bachopi