Africa-Press – Botswana. Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ coach, Thatayaone Tebele has issued a bold statement on his side’s promotion chances after a 2-0 win over Uniao Flamengo Santos in a Debswana First Division South league tie played at the Gabane United grounds on Saturday.
With the win, Chiefs moved to just two points off the summit of the log. Black Forest, who led the log before the weekend’s round of games, were beaten by Taung Young Strikers away from home while Holy Ghost, in second place before the weekend, bagged a 3-0 win away to Mochudi Rovers. Holy Ghost are now at the top of the standings while Forest dropped to second.
Chiefs remain third but have reduced the lead to just two points and now the team’s coach, Tebele believes with just eight rounds of league games to play, Chiefs will secure one of two promotional places. “We are going up, honestly speaking we are going up. Tell me when the season ends and we will be in the Premier League. For now it is a game at a time, we need maximum points in five of the last six games. I am happy with how the players really fought today,” Tebele told Monitor Sport after the game on Saturday.
The encounter started on a rather slow place under scorching conditions. However, by the quarter hour mark, both goalkeepers had been called in to action. The visitors then showed the upper hand and in the 30th minute, Bokamoso Mbambo, who was in a good position, headed wide off the post. Two minutes later, on the other end, Bosa Mokgweetsi hit the cross bar from a free header as both teams looked for the opener. Chiefs opened the score in the 35th minute when captain Anorld Mampori floated in a set piece to the far post and Emmanuel Thabe was there to nod in. Three minutes to the break, Chiefs’ keeper Tshenolo Letshelea pulled a double save to deny Mokgweetsi’ header then a follow up shot to keep Magosi in the lead at half time. Santos looked a rejuvenated side after the break but faced a determined Chiefs’ rearguard.
Magosi were 2-0 up in the 53rd minute as the referee made a penalty call after a hand ball incident. Mampori stepped up and drilled one to the bottom corner, sending the keeper the wrong way. From then, Magosi took total control and were nearly gifted by the opposition goalkeeper who showed butterfly fingers in dealing with Koketso Mphukhuti and Emmanuel Thabe’s attempts in the 67th and 78th minutes respectively.
Santos kept the score respectful as they remain eighth on the log. Santos’ coach, Kgosietsile Mampori is worried about his side chances of surviving the chop after the recent poor run of form. “I should be worried about our chances of staying in the league. Because if you look at the Premier League, three teams from the south might drop. So they will push more teams downwards. And if the team that gets a play-offs place does not do well that means more teams will relegate from this league. So any team from number seven (down) is not safe,” he said.
The Teams Santos: One Lepetu, Modise Sifu, Mandla Mgadla, Tshepo Mbulawa, Ronald Setshego, Goitsemodimo Zoko, Lemogang Kabo, Onalethata Khuta (Moagi Noge), Godfrey Ngele (Ofentse Tlhalosang), Bosa Mokgweetsi (Matthews Moruti) Chiefs: Tshenolo Letshelea, Ishmael Metlhaleng, Gomotsang Tselaesele, Bokamoso Mbambo, Donald Rapulane (Koketso Mphukhuti), Patrick Jackals (Maatla Magosha), Emmanuel Thabe, Arnold Mampori, Lucky Molefe, Khumoetsile Kufigwa, Alfred Gopolang
Santos 0 Chiefs 2 (Thabe 35th, Mampori 53rd)
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