Sports

Notwane are bridesmaids, not contenders – Nare

Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday October 22, 2025 06:00

Keorapetse Ramakgathi of Dinare (in blue) battles for the ball with Tuelo Mpedi of Notwane during the First Division South encounter played on Friday night PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO
 
Keorapetse Ramakgathi of Dinare (in blue) battles for the ball with Tuelo Mpedi of Notwane during the First Division South encounter played on Friday night PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The win marked Toronto’s third consecutive triumph and handed Dinare their first defeat of the season.

Despite the impressive feat, head coach Daniel ‘Chico’ Nare remains grounded, insisting they are mere spectators in the promotion race.

Though sitting on 13 points, level with Dinare and second-placed Young Stars, Nare was unflinching in his assessment.

“No, there are contenders in this league and we are just bridesmaids. There are owners of this league, Dinare are, Jwaneng (Young Stars) are, looking at the resources they have.

“They have quality players, they have everything and we are struggling on our end,” he said.

The victory, however, showed that Notwane are far from pushovers. The side executed their game plan to perfection, with forward Kaboyaone Mosope producing the decisive moment.

In a match of limited opportunities, Mosope found the back of the net in the 62nd minute, marking his third goal of the season and sending Notwane fans into jubilant celebrations.

Toronto are gradually tuning into the “Chico dance,” as the team’s clever, disciplined approach sees them move firmly into the top three.

Notwane have now managed to claim maximum points from their last two games against the league’s top sides, proving they can compete with the best.

However, Nare’s sharp eye also caught the game officiating under scrutiny. The coach lamented the additional nine minutes in the second half, questioning the referee’s reasoning.

“Where did the referee get the nine minutes, I mean there were only two injuries in the second half. When we asked the referee, he responded by saying my players were wasting time.

“We are not playing marbles, we are playing a league that we need to take seriously. We do not have referees, we need to compete fairly, win fairly and also lose fairly,” Nare said.

The teams:

Dinare: Issac Moyo, Pholoso Mapitse, Julius Montsho, Tshepiso Matshuba, Thabang Mooketsi (Thabiso Serokane), Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, Katlego Makhala (Kemoreng Batisani), Raymond Arthur (Gideon Ninson), Mpho Kgomo (Comfort Dikupa), Clive Farai Augusto, Keorapetse Ramakgathi (Kaboyaone Katlholelo)

Notwane: Oratile Matlholwa, Bokang Kwarare, Tuelo Mpedi, Mphoyamodimo Keipone, Omphemetse Motaung, Kagiso Mokaeya (Laone Leloba), Kaboyaone Mosope, Pius Ntile, Othusegile Botsetswe, Alphius Selefho (Kabelano Mooketsane), Silent Kenneth (Kgotso Moshoa)

Dinare 0 Notwane 1 (Mosope 62nd)