Merciless Santos thrash Nico

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday March 29, 2010 00:00

 

Santos have relegated Mochudi Centre Chiefs to third place as Magosi were inactive over the weekend because their players were with the national side.  Santos were more result-oriented on Saturday and got the opener towards the end of the first half through Zimbabwean striker Farisayi Nyamunamwendo.

Besides the goal, the first half was very dull without any team showing determination in attack. Santos missed the services of their talisman Mogakolodi 'Tsotso' Ngele who was attending week-long trials at Supersport United in South Africa. In his absence, the players failed to gel in attack as they were often dispossessed easily.  Nico could have found the opener early but striker Tendai Ndoro could not believe his eyes when his low shot came off the upright with Santos' goalkeeper Chenjerai Dube well beaten. Monametsi 'Sunday' Kelebale did well to create a couple of chances for Tendai Ndoro but the striker was wasteful on the day. Santos came back from the break a better side and played quick forward passes. They were rewarded with a second goal three minutes after half-time.

Captain of the day Godfrey Ngele did well to beat three defenders before slotting the ball past Nico goalkeeper Ogopotse Tshule. After the goal, Santos found their feet and took control of the game creating many chances.

Bushi Moletsane scored the third on the 66th minute to take the game beyond Majombolo's reach. Boitshoko Zikhale, who had a very good game in the middle of the pack set-up substitute Ompolokile Alone for the fourth to seal victory for the Gabane side. Zikhale was substituted after the goal but he had already done enough to be voted man-of -the-match and got P1,000.

Santos have not lost in the league since November last year and look set to at least finish second or win the P1 million be MOBILE top prize. Having been knocked out of the CAF Confederations Cup and the Coca-Cola Cup, they now have their full attention on the league where they face an uphill task if they harbour hopes of overhauling runaway leaders, Township Rollers.

In other matches played on Saturday, struggling defending champions Gaborone United (GU) won 1-0 away to Boteti Young Fighters in Orapa. The win saw GU jump one spot to position seven with 28 points from 20 outings.

Boteti are still threatened by relegation at position 13 with only 19 points from 23 games. On Saturday, BMC beat their meat brothers ECCO City Greens 2-0 in Lobatse to move further away from the relegation zone. They are now in position 11 with 21 points from 23 games. The inconsistent ECCO are sitting fifth with 38 points from 21 games.