Mmesi Draw Positives From Stars' Maiden Point

Kabelo Boranabi | Monday September 16, 2019 10:14

Stars were given a rude welcome by Jwaneng Galaxy in the first game of the season with a 5-1 defeat since rebranding from a now defunct Sharps Shooting Stars in the off-season.

Speaking to journalists after the Friday game, coach Enosi Mmesi said his side was heading in the right direction.

“The draw is not a pleasant result we must admit but if you look at how the game unfolded we could be happy with taking this point home. TAFIC were not going go easy as that, looking at how they played, they used high tempo in their play and put in a lot of effort.

My defence was so good today. The goalkeeper was not troubled but our concern is upfront where we failed to unlock their defence. But is better to have that kind of concern upfront than at the back. It is just a matter of going back to the drawing board. I have a lot of injuries.

The defence line was new. This is a marathon I am happy to take a point but I think we could have won,” he said.

Mmesi made a couple of changes to his side as Melvin Chipunza was handed a starting berth on the team to make his debut while Botlhe Rakaki made his first start for the home side while TAFIC missed head coach, Saul Chamunika who awaits a work permit. 

The hosts were given an early scare as Michael Murirwa attempted a shot from inside the box but it went wide. On the other end, Stephen Sibanda from a tight angle also shot wide. TAFIC looked more direct in their play but could not go past the resolute Kabo Kwena and Rakaki defensive pair. Neither side managed to make clear cut chances as the brought a dull first half level at 0-0.

The home side looked a better side from the back but were let down by their lack of urgency in the final third. In the 59th minute, from a distance, Monageng Thaele  missed goal by a whisker with low drive .  Two minutes later, Chipunza failed to get a debut goal as he shot over the bar. though unmarked inside the box.  The two teams shared spoils in the end.

“A point away from home is not a bad result looking at the fact that we lost the first game. At least today we managed to keep a clean sheet. Defensively, we played very well but lacked upfront.

It is worrisome that we are not scoring. It is something that we need to work on at training. The important thing is that we are not conceding,” TAFIC assistant coach, Bokamoso Mambo said after the game.

The Teams:

Stars: Takudzwa Ndoro, Khumo Bogale, Kwena, Rakaki, Maikano Maikano, Kabo Rasuping, Thaele, Benson Ramolwelwane (Charles Mujokeri), Ofentse Mmipi, Chipunza (Emmanuel Machinya), Sibanda (Raymond Israel)

Tafic: Abednico Morapedi, Nkosi Ernest, Motsoeatsile Elijah, Mbambo, Thuso Monyama, Bose Ramontsho, Murirwa, Uyapo Thibathuwe (Uyapo Dekesha), Kemoreng Batisani, Mogomotsi Samson (Mompati Mbidzo),  Kagisano Mungu

Stars 0

TAFIC 0