Gunners stun Chiefs as Mandivenga eyes bigger prize
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Tuesday September 1, 2026 09:59
The match, played at the National Stadium on Saturday, was settled by a solitary goal from a youngster, Tefo Aleseng.
Gunners produced a disciplined display to frustrate the highly-rated Chiefs, with Paradzayi praising his players for sticking to their game plan throughout the 90 minutes.
“It was a very tough match, a very good match and we are happy with the results. These players came to work today,” he said after the match.
The coach added that Gunners went into the encounter fully aware of the quality in the Chiefs squad and opted to deny their opponents space, particularly on the flanks.
“We knew we had to give Centre Chiefs the respect that they deserve, looking at the team that they have assembled,” Paradzayi said.
“But the advantage we had is that we played as a team. We were solid and we did not give them space.”
Paradzayi highlighted that his tactical plan was centred on shutting down Chiefs’ wingers, forcing them to attack through the middle, where he felt they were less effective.
“We said let’s go and close every space. We closed down their wingers and the option was to attack through the middle. But they are not good at attacking through the middle,” the coach said.
He singled out Fortune and Kelvin as key threats for Chiefs, particularly Kelvin, whom he warned his defenders against allowing him to cut inside.
“With Kelvin, you just give him the line because he is dangerous when cutting inside. I told my defenders that if they can manage to close the flanks then the game is ours to take,” Paradzayi said.
The coach was also impressed by the performance of young defender Collen, whom he described as a player with a bright future in Botswana football.
“Collen is the future of Botswana football. He is only 20 and look how he performed against seasoned players,” he said. Paradzayi believes the result could provide the foundation for a strong campaign. “I think we can carry on with this. Probably we are going to fight for something this season,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chiefs’ assistant coach Alex Malete admitted that the defeat was not the start his team wanted but remained optimistic about their prospects.
“It is not the start that we wanted. We didn’t play well in the first half, but the second half was better. We created a lot of opportunities; we didn’t take them,” Malete said.
He added they will analyse the match and work on their shortcomings, stressing that the campaign was still in its infancy.
“It is one game at a time. There are lots of positives to take from the second half. We are still positive that we will get the result that we want,” he said.
Malete attributed some of his side’s first-half struggles to Gunners’ low defensive block and Chiefs’ technical errors.
“They played with a low block, which made it very difficult to move the players. Sometimes it was six players at the back because their wingers dropped too deep. First half we had a lot of technical errors, but in the second half it was better,” he said.
With 29 league matches still remaining, Malete believes Chiefs have ample time to correct their mistakes and revive their campaign.
The teams:
Gunners: Kabelo Dambe, Tapiwa Sepatela, Onalethata Obopile, Kesekile Chivese, Yabo Four, Nkosi Ngxhabi, Miguel Dias, Tiroyaone Maome, Khumoetsile Kufigwa, (Pako Gaofose), Tendai Kesekile, Aleseng (Resaobaka Thatanyane)
Chiefs: Keoagile Kgosipula, Yaone Moarabi, (Xavier da Costa), Mosha Gaolaolwe, Shanganani Nganda, Phenyo Serameng, Kelvin Ndebele, Omphile Vissagie, (Monty Enosa) Evans Rusike, Mpho Kgaswane, Tefo Mofokeng (Gilbert Baruti), Ronald Fortune, (Nahuel Nicolás Melgarejo)
Gunners 1 (Aleseng 34th) Chiefs 0