Notwane Return To The Premier League
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday April 16, 2018 12:34
Notwane were officially crowned Debswana First Division South champions on Saturday when they beat Mochudi Rovers 3-0 and returned to the elite league after three-year absence.
“The job was done when we beat Prisons XI. The rest of the games it was just a formality. But back into this game, we knew they are weak at left and right back positions. That is why we played most of our balls behind these two positions,” explained Mabechu after the game. He however said it was a difficult campaign despite them being crowned champions with one game left to play this season. “There were challenges along the way, but we managed to overcome those challenges.
From here, we are going to try and beef up the squad with a little bit of experience to prepare for the Premier League. We are however going to keep the bulk of this team because it is full of youngsters,” he said.
Notwane opened the scoring as early as the 11th minute through Thabiso Boti. The goal separated the two sides at half time with not so many goal-scoring opportunities created. In the second half, Notwane proved why they deserved a Premier League return when they dominated Rovers in the middle of the park and used their wings to break the home side.
They were rewarded in the 53rd minute when midfielder, Falkirk Shabane found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat.
He showed his composure and slotted past Kagiso Matlou to give Notwane their second goal. Rovers tried all they could to get into the game but found the experience of the likes of Mpoeleng Mpoeleng, Amos Godirwang and Boitumelo Modisaotsile too much to handle.
In the 64th minute, exciting winger, Tlhalefo Molebatsi received the ball on the edge of the box, beat the defender with skill before he smashed home to put the game beyond Rovers’ reach. Notwane will play their last match of the season against Lesirane next weekend.
The teams:
Mochudi Rovers: Kagiso Matlou, Karabo Madikwe, Obakeng Moeng, Thabang Mosu, Calvin Masire, Donald Moilwe, Julius Montsho, Thuto Kgosimore, Lucky Molefe, Ronald Kefilwe, Oratile Segale
Notwane: Michael Pepukani, Mpoeleng Mpoeleng, Ronald Selemane, Brian Botsang, Boitumelo Modisaotsile, Flakirk Shabane (Raymond Israel), Thabiso Boti, Tlhalefo Molebatsi (Ookeditse Kgosietsile), Amos Godirwang, Sithembile Mbuqe, Ishamel Amposah (Jarona Jarona)
Mochudi Rovers 0
Notwane 3 (Boti 11th, Shabane 53rd, Molebatsi 54th)