The Reds inch closer

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday July 3, 2009 00:00

 

Chiefs kept up the pressure with a 1-0 win over BDF XI at the Galaxy Stadium in Jwaneng. GU still lead the log with 68 points, three ahead of Chiefs who enjoy a better goal difference. It increasingly looks likely the game between the two sides on the last day of the season might decide the title race.

On Wednesday, GU struggled for fluency against a gritty Fighters who gave a good account of themselves. Man-of-the-match, Sageby Sandaka was the saviour with a brace in the second half.

The sparse GU crowd was growing restive until the 47th minute when the Zimbabwean striker curled a free kick beyond the reach of a despairing Mickael Pepukani in the Fighters' goal.

The goalkeeper who was standing in for the injured Barolong Lemmenyane produced a stunning performance to deny GU a goal harvest. Sandaka gave GU maximum points with a brilliant volley on the turn in the 74th minute to make it 2-0. Sedat Senare's low strike past a jittery Raphael Nthwane ensured a nervy finish to the game.

GU had to hang on for dear life as news filtered from Jwaneng that Chiefs were leading 1-0.

Coach Mike Sithole admitted that his side did not play well but he was happy that they got three points. He said it is still early to pop the champagne bottles as the league race is likely to go to the wire.

Fighters' coach, Letang 'Rasta' Kgwengwenyane who saw his side's survival prospects dim, believes there is still light at the end of the tunnel. He said if his charges can play the way they did in their remaining fixtures, they would avoid the drop.

'We have a very crucial game coming up on Saturday against GNT. It is like a final to us and we have no option but to collect maximum points,' Kgwengwenyane said. He added that his dismissal in May could have had an effect on the team. The diminutive coach returned to the Fighters' bench last week and watched as his side surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 6-3 to ECCO City Greens.

In other midweek matches, Notwane continued to sing the blues after falling 3-2 to Uniao Flamengo Santos at the Molepolole Stadium. The result underlines Notwane's inconsistency following hard on the heels of a 4-1 victory over GNT last weekend. In the Lobatse derby, there was no winner as Extension Gunners threw away a 3-0 lead to settle for a 3-3 draw against BMC.