. Santos hosted Motlakase Power Dynamos at the VTM Arena in a tie that ended 1-0 to the visitors. The hosts had hoped to play the fixture in their traditional Gabane United grounds where they hosted all their Debswana First Division South league games in the just ended season. The league leadership, however, decided that the tie be played at the VTM Arena, leaving the Santos’ technical bench fuming. “This is not an excuse but we were playing in a ground that we are not used. We play mostly in dusty grounds and we hardly play in a turf and that on its own had an impact on our players. This is why towards the end of the match, it became a little heavier for them. The South league committee just told us we will play here while we had thought we are going to play in our usual ground. It was only in the middle of the week that we were informed of the decision to play here. We tried to challenge the decision but they told us that they have the final word and we will be playing at the VTM Arena. We thought we will be playing at home as Motlakase will be playing at home but today we do not feel at home,” said Sesiro.
It was generally a tight encounter with the teams expected to play for it all in the second leg scheduled for this Saturday in Palapye. Tshepo Mbulawa teed up Tumelo Sentle on the 13th minute and the striker shot wide off the post. Santos came close on the 24th minute but Matthews Moruti directed Sentle’s cross wide off the post. The home side had the better of the chances but could find the back of the net as the two teams went into the break level at 0-0. Just over 10 minutes into second half, Otsile Meti on the left-wing played a cross inside the box and Meshack Poumpe tapped in to the near post to give the visitors the lead on the 59th minute. It got worse for the home side when they were reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of Kenalemile Mokgweetsi. The midfielder was punished for a dangerous play after a clash with the goalkeeper on the 76th minute. Motlakase head on to the second leg with a slim lead.
