Gunners, Matebele content after stalemate

Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday October 22, 2025 06:33

The Saturday encounter, played under overcast conditions, was an affair of two halves, with the hosts dominating early on.

It was Gunners that took the lead through Kabelo Babusi in the 14th minute before Yashe Dambe equalised for the home side 15 minutes later.

The Peleng giants finished the half the stronger of the two sides and carried the momentum into the second half.

However, Babusi was particularly guilty of spurning several gilt-edged chances and Gunners should surely have walked away with three points.

Despite their domination, and aesthetic football, Gunners returned to Lobatse with just one point which sees them sit in position 13, just one place ahead of Matebele, as the relegation bells ring early on.

Matebele are on five points from eight games while Gunners have one point more.

Gunners assistant coach, Steven Maposa was happy with how his side played, particularly in the second period.

“I thought the boys did well. We were the better team in the second half. We missed a lot of chances, we could have been three or four goals up. We were playing a good team tactically,” Maposa said. The former Zebras attacker said the intention is to move the team closer to the top half of the table.

“Obviously we need to be up there in the top eight. Every team wants to be up there and I believe we will be there,” he said.

Despite being under pressure in the second half, Matebele coach, Reneilwe Letsholonyane said the 1-1 draw was a fair result.

“With the chances we had and the chances they had, I would say we will take this point, it will go a long way for us. It is a process, we are still trying to get together and understand each other. But as you saw, there is an improvement in the team,” the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder said.

He said there are certain areas of improvement for his young team. Letsholonyane said they played a good opponent in Gunners and stopped winning the second ball in the later part of the game which gave the initiative to their opponents.

Young Matebele defender, Motheo Floyd-Mogapi impressed playing as right back as he came up with several goal-line interventions that kept his side in the game.

Teams

Matebele: Cedric Ramojela, Patrick Pilo, Motheo Floyd Mogapi, Brighton Akanyang, Maatla Magosha, Mompati Mbidzo, Nonofo Dikutu, Yashe Dambe, Chris Mwamba, Maloisane Mokhele, Goitseone Bokhutlo Substitutes Prince Larona Bojang, Mpho Snickson, Arnold Obuseng, Oagile Seone, Kutlo Molelowamodimo, Cale Ofori-Manu, Godiraone Bagai, Gopolag Discharge, Lesego Masisi

Gunners: Kamogelo Mogomotsi, Moloi Thuto, Tendai Kesekile, Oleseng Kale, Mbase Ngakaetsile, Michael Pillar, Tsaone Mankhi, Thuso Marumo, Kabelo Babusi, Gorata Bogale, Senatla Molefhe

Substitutes Kagisano Mekgwe, Legend Monyake, Kesekile Chivese, Thato Molefe, Tiroyaone Maome, Prince Tshepheng Moraladi, Boitshepo Mogome, Katlo Kgathi