Notwane, Santos clash in unfamiliar territory
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday September 11, 2015 14:51
Both sides lost their first league matches last weekend and pride will be at stake when they meet. Notwane have beefed up their squad by including two South African players, Sithembile Mduqi and Tshepiso Motadi in the line up.
Notwane coach, Thatayaone Mothuba, told Mmegi Sport that the two, a midfielder and a striker, did not play last weekend because their work permits were not ready. He said the permits have now been sorted out and they are ready to wear the gold and black colours of Notwane. He said preparations for the upcoming encounter have been going well and the plan is to walk away with maximum points.
“Everything is in place and we have corrected our mistakes from our match against Rolling Boys,” he said. “We realised that we approached the first division with premiership mentality and that will change. I know that style of play cannot be changed overnight.”
He said the most important thing that should change immediately is lack of goals. Mothuba urged Notwane supporters to rally behind the team and encourage the players to work hard.
The Santos tactician, Innocent Ranku said playing against a big team is a motivation to the players and pulling a win against Notwane would be an achievement. He said some of his players had played for Notwane in their premiership stint. Ranku said they have corrected the mistakes from the last match. Santos lost 0-1 to Modipane United. He said his players have a problem of converting their chances.
Ranku said: “We had many chances that we failed to use against Modipane. We even failed to score a penalty. We have been doing target practice the entire week. We cannot afford such mistakes against Notwane.”
He said the players were yet to reach their full fitness levels considering that it would be their second match of the season.
In other matches tomorrow, Black Rangers who came from behind to pull a 2-2 draw against Mogoditshane Fighters welcome Letlapeng in Tsabong. Prisons XI entertain Mochudi Rovers at SSG ground while Black Forest host Lesirane in Mmankgodi. Boys will face-off against Sharps Electrical at Sharps grounds. Another Sunday match will see Fighters take a short trip to Modipane where Modipane United lie in wait.