Signs of rust as Young Strikers, Tlokweng misfire
Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday September 17, 2025 06:37
Both teams had opportunities to open their campaign with a win but their forwards somehow contrived to miss gilt-edged chances.
Young Strikers, who failed in their bid to register their status as Gilport Lions this season, twice struck the woodwork, but overall, profligacy was on full display with both coaches attributing the slackness to off-season hangover.
United made the early running and created decent chances in the first half, with Leutwetse Monokwe's effort smothered by Young Strikers goalkeeper, Opelo Motsamai.
There was a flash moment when seconds later, Motsamai handled the ball just outside the box and received a yellow card for his offence. He was saved the blushes as United failed to profit, with the resultant free-kick sent over the crossbar.
As half-time approached, Young Strikers started to make inroads into the United area and could have bagged a goal had it not been for poor decision making in the final third.
Young Strikers then twice hit the woodwork in the second stanza as play swung from one end to the other, but it was apparent that the forwards were still struggling to shake off the offseason rust.
'It is very simple, first game of the season fitness not yet there so getting a point in the first game of the season considering that it’s an away game, it's a good point,' Tlokweng United coach, Pako Seakgosing reacted.
'The fitness will grow as the season goes by. The main thing is finishing and decision making because we had so many chances. In the next game we should definitely go for three points,' he added.
His counterpart at Young Strikers, Jerry Moitse, praised his boys for the effort and emerging from the encounter with a point after limited off season preparations.
'We did not have much time to prepare because of the issue of the status from Taung Young Strikers to Gilport Lions. We will build our fitness. My boys played well, I liked their aggression when we did not have the ball,' Moitse said.
He said their tactics in closing spaces worked, which forced United to play long balls. With the transition to Gilport Lions, Moitse said their aim to keep their First Division status this season.
'Our target is to settle in this league. You can see that most of our players are from the academy and lower divisions. We only have a few seasoned players but the rest of the teams are young boys.
'We will see what happens at the end of the season, but we want to be in the top eight so that we are able to take part in the FA Cup,' he said.
The teams
Taung Young Strikers
Opelo Motsamai, Boago Mokgotlhe, Thapelo Ramokono, Collen Kagiso, Olebile Ramogonono, Borata Mabego, Lefika Mapitse, Ketshabaone Tlhowe, Buang Dithebe, Setso Lekang, Boikobo Kebafedile
Subs: Lesego Koareng, Koketso Mokgatiswane, Tumo Moalosi, Lefika Ramaphalane, Boago Silitshena, Lamorena Batlhophi, Arthur Coetzee, Mothusi Keabetswe, Thabo Kwenasetso
Tlokweng United
Tumisang Gongwefela, Mmoloki More, Oarabile Matlapeng, Tumelo Lerole, Kabelo Sebeso, Freedom Nhliziyo, Kgaodi Odirile, Baloang Jappi, Mcdonald Tukula, Leutwetse Monokwe, Collen Tiralo
Subs: Lesego Moitse, Bophelo Keabetswe, Edwin Kgosimore, Isaac Kgosipula, Tshoganyetso Sedupelela, Biki Ndlovu, Maswabi Montsho, Karabo Kgokong, Thero Segopolo
Young Strikers 0 Tlokweng United 0