Clash Of Colours Overshadows Gunners Win

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Monday November 9, 2009 00:00

The game was delayed for 90 minutes because the colour of kits of the two teams clashed. Gunners had their home and away kits but Comets' half white and half black shirts still clashed with both Gunners' kits. However, the situation was saved after Gunners borrowed a kit from a local Sunday football club. For the first time, the Peleng Boys appeared in an unfamiliar blue kit.

Gunners' first goal came in the 37th minute when Emmanuel Nlu converted a penalty after Bernard Semakwezi was brought down in the box. Ramocha had earlier waved away Gunners' plea for a penalty after Maano Ditshupo was brought down. Gunners' lead was short-lived as Andy Simba equalised three minutes after Thulani Moyo failed to challenge him. This allowed Simba to turn inside the box and shoot while goalkeeper, Ntungamile Tshoganetso thought Moyo was checking him. In the second half, coach Daniel Nare brought in Kgololo Leteane and Ofentse Mmipi and within minutes the visitors were in control of the match. In the 71st minute, Semakwezi outpaced the Comets' defence before placing the ball beyond goalkeeper Katlego Kesekang to effectively wrap the three points for Gunners. Ironically Comets nearly took the lead as early as the second minute when veteran Barulaganye Bolofete tried a shot from close range but was blocked by former Comets goalkeeper Tshoganetso. Within five minutes, Gunners returned fire and once again it was the goalkeeper on the other end of the field who had to block with his leg to save the situation.Monageng Thaele of Gunners tried a header a minute later but his effort went narrowly wide. The former Mogoditshane Fighters' winger who had a good game had another chance in the seventh minute when his curling shot from a free kick went narrowly off target. Comets had another chance to grab the lead in the 18th minute, youngster Thabiso Lekesi getting a good opportunity on the left but made the wrong decision as he pushed the ball to the near post where Tshoganetso was guarding.

Simba had a good game creating problems for Gunners' defenders often leaving Moyo in his wake despite his lack of pace. A lot was expected of Bobo Motlhalane who posted a star performance in Comets' 2-2 draw against Mochudi Centre Chiefs last week but the nippy midfield dynamo failed to rise to the occasion. Concentration has always been a problem for Gunners and they nearly faltered in the dying minutes as Comets tried to force a comeback. In the 84th minute, Kebatlogetse Batsweletse levelled following a goalmouth melee. Gunners were caught napping in the 90th minute after another goalmouth scramble but once again only luck saved them and Nlu was able to avert the danger. Meanwhile, in other Saturday matches, ECCO City Greens beat BDF XI 2-1 in Francistown while defending champions, Gaborone United brought their campaign back on track with a 6-2 drubbing of Boteti Young Fighters.