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Gilport gained composure midway through the first half and sent retaliatory threats in pursuit of a lead.
Osego Gaotewe posed a threat from the left wing and sent several crosses into the box but Lions keeper, Moatlhodi Ndana was sure footed between his posts.
Tumisang Sekanonyane was booked inside the first 20 minutes for a tackle on Godwin Bonsu. Chrispen Mbewe was posing problems for GU but shot stopper, Goitseone Phoko was equal to the task.
Gilport Lions were forced to pull out Bonang Monyatsi for Steve Lochia who sustained an ankle injury in the 29th minute. GU finished the first half stronger, but the physical nature of the game persisted. GU lost Bonsu to injury with Tshepo Maikano replacing him.
Tendai Nyamazawo sent a blazing shot in the 44th minute, but Phoko was equal to the task. Gilport Lions began the second half better, but both teams could not find the opener. Kabelano Mooketsane thought he had given Lions the lead in the 57th minute, but Lekgotla Johannes ruled the effort offside.
GU sent in Benson Shilongo for Ntesang Simanyana, a move that did not go down well with the supporters. But Shilongo could have given his side the lead only to go narrowly wide in the 62nd minute. Shilongo was booked for kicking Kabo Molome on the head shortly after. Moatlhodi Ndana saved his side after Shilongo sent a low cross.
Nyamadzawo was booked for a dangerous tackle in injury time while Ndana went into the referee’s book for time wasting. Gilport Lions head coach, Bathusi Tautsagae said the game was tough and tactical since the opponents forced them to play ‘second ball’.
“It was a tough game. It was a bit tactical and they forced us not to play. We wanted to play from the back, but unfortunately they pressed us and that compelled us to play our balls forward. That forced us to play second ball and we are not very good at it.”
Gilport Lions
Moatlhodi Ndana, Bonang Monyatsi (Steve Lochia) Upoga Dekesha (Ozias Zibande), Seakgabo Molebatsi, Kabo Molome, Thabo Mothibi, Bonang Monyatsi (Steve Lochia) Tumisang Sekanonyane, Kabelano Mooketsane, Chrispen Mbewe, Lebogang Ditsele, Tendai Nyamadzawo.
Gaborone United:
Goitseone Phoko, Gaopatwe Seosenyeng, Kgololo Kgogobi, Ntesang Simanyana (Benson Shilongo), Godwin Bonsu (Tshepo Maikano), Ogopotse, Alphonse Modisaotsile, Mpho Kgaswane, Gosegonna Molapisi, Hendrick Moyo Osego Gaotewe
GU 0
Gilport Lions 0
