Draw deals GNT a crushing blow
Shingirai Madondo | Monday March 2, 2015 14:31
Such a situation would help the police-dominated team maintain their Debswana First Division North League status, GNT head coach, Edward Leposo was heard saying.
Leposo, made this admission after his side played to a 0-0 draw against visiting Maun Tigers during a rescheduled match played at the Francistown Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The rescheduled game was abandoned a couple of weeks ago because of rain. Although GNT managed to get a point out of the game, the development did not sit well with the former Premier League side.
GNT remain rooted at the bottom of the 12-team log table with only 15 points from 16 games
GNT’s main undoing has been in front of the goals. They managed to find the back of the net 14 times, but conceded 22 goals in 15 matches since they did not concede a goal last Saturday.
This is despite the fact that they create an avalanche of goal scoring opportunities.
In last Saturday’s match, GNT created close to 10 clear cut chances especially in the second half, but could not covert those chances into goals.
“Football is funny,” bemoaned Leposo. “How can a team create so many chances and fail to score a single goal?”
Leposo said he is now aiming to collect at least four points out of the remaining six games before the Debswana First Division North League curtain comes down mid next month.
An equally desperate and unpredictable Maun Tigers were on a hunting mission. And spoils shared with GNT could prove vital for the Anthony Timothy-coached outfit in its quest to survive relegation.
Maun Tigers leapfrogged TASC, Palapye All Stars, Amakhosi FC and Tonota FC to seventh position on the log with 17 points. Tigers are level on points with Amakhosi and Tonota, but have got a superior goal difference.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel. We just need to keep ourselves focused on the main cause of surviving relegation,” said Timothy, adding that he will keep on encouraging his strikers to be always composed.
Both clubs treaded cautiously throughout the first half with either of the two willing to get exposed at the back. This resulted in both clubs going for the breather deadlocked at 0-0.
After the break, Leposo introduced three substitutes in a space of six minutes in a desperate bid to pile pressure on the opponents. But, it proved difficult for the home side to dismantle the visitors’ defence.
GNT: David Puso, Chakazha Pharo, Zwangu Majeremane (Tshegofatso Setswaelo 53rd), Barulaganye Radiakanyo (Aobakwe Mopaki 50th), Mothibedi Tichana, Matlhogonolo Kgobolo, Baotshwere Adiseng, Mpho Kgosietsile, Tebogo Mafala, Motlhalefi Leshiba, Otsile Kediegile (Modise Kebaagetse 46th).
Maun Tigers: Bokamoso Makonga, Leonard Kangodi, Reuben Ndozi, Mafika Mokgosi (Jenamiso Tanyala 68th), Basenandule Aebe, Nthakgolo Kebowang, Thabo Marumo, Kesaobaka Dikole, Kabo Bayei, Welcome Patrick (Alfred Phorano 57th) Keobake Mombala.
GNT 0
Tigers 0