Calendar Stars, Black Lions settle for draw
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday November 25, 2025 08:44
The result was a disappointment for both sides considering that Calendar Stars had to play with 10 men for the better part of the game following Bruce Gurere’s red card.
The game was played at the Francistown Council Stadium on Sunday.
In a post match interview, Black Lions head coach, Owen Da Gama expressed disappointment after his team settled for a goalless draw.
He said they were unable to convert scoring chances into goals.
“We are not utilising the chances that we create,” he bemoaned. “We tried different combinations upfront and I pray that in January, we get the opportunity to sign a very good striker because sadly, we are lacking a punch upfront,” Da Gama added.
The coach noted that throughout the season, Black Lions have been struggling to score more than one goal in a match.
If they won, they often did it narrowly with a single goal or, in this case, failing to find the net altogether, Da Gama observed.
“If we don’t score with the chances we create, it’s going to be hard to get wins,” he said.
He also pointed out that the absence of one player due to suspension which he said hurt the team’s midfield stability.
“Gape Gaogangwe is the anchor in the middle, and his absence cost us.
“The opponents have tall players like Gurure and Nenguba Chakalisa, who play long balls, and it was a challenge for us with our shorter players,” he explained.
Looking ahead to their next match against Nico United, Da Gama stressed the need for improvement in finishing.
“We have been working on finishing, but the decision-making and quality of shots continue to be a challenge. Composure and confidence are issues we need to address,” he said.
Calendar Stars coach, Joseph 'Chippa' Mokgacha, acknowledged the difficulty of their situation in the relegation zone but praised his team’s defensive efforts in the goalless draw.
“Every game is tough for us, we are trying to plan on how to avoid conceding. If we don’t concede, we get a point or three points,” he said.
However, Mokgacha commended his defenders for handling Black Lion’s long-ball tactics but admitted that their finishing was not clinical enough.
“We had chances and entered the last third well, but not convincingly enough. We had other opportunities that we could have buried and set pieces we could have worked on,” he added.
Mokgacha expressed his gratitude for the point but emphasised the need for improvement, particularly in finishing and set pieces, to secure better results in the future. “It’s one of those days where the result didn’t go our way, but we will keep working hard,” he added.
The teams: Black Lions: Ryn Brown, Mpho Kgaswane, Michael Tinye, Escobar Raditsebe,Sylvester Leririma, Xolani Cossa, Kevin Bulala, Collen Moteu, Misani Thupa, Dirang Pilane, Wakhiwe Shelembe
Calendar Stars: Emmanuel Keladitswe,Oaboloka Mugibelo,Omphile Foda, Tlotlo Mogapi, Tsotlhe Sekgopi, Bruce Gurure, Nenguba Chakalisa, Gomotsang Lucky Simon, Mogotsi Madome, Keabetwe Rekiso, Fungai Muzila
Calendar Stars 0 Black Lion 0