09 Jan 2022

A Tshepo Malgas goal in the 82nd minute was enough to secure victory for Gaborone United to solidify a five-point lead at the summit of the Botswana Premier League standings.

During a game played at the National Stadium in Gaborone on Saturday both GU and Gilport Lions were not at their best, perhaps still suffering from the festive mood blues.

However, it was GU’s quality and squad depth that came in handy.

In the absence of veteran striker Keaketswe Moloi, GU gaffer, Innocent Morapedi gave Thatayaone Ramatlhapeng a rare opportunity to lead the attack, but he was substituted in the second half by Thero Setsile who recently decamped from Orapa United.

Gilport Lions had their goalkeeper, Onalenna Gaborone, to applaud for keeping them in contest as he pulled out heroic saves to deny Thatayaone Kgamanyane from close range in the 40th minute.

GU’s assistant coach, Pontso Moloi, expressed displeasure at the teams’ performance saying they started slow and almost conceded early goals in the first half.

Speaking in his post match interview, Moloi said his team’s ball retention and intensity improved as  the  game matured.

For his part, Gilport’s headcoach Paradzayi Mandivenga, said he was happy with the teams’ performance though not pleased with the results.

He commended the team for not being intimidated by the star studded GU.

He said though there was  a  gap in the quality of players on both sides, his team  was  able to match their opponents  adding that the game  was only won on the  basis of individual brilliance.

In other  games  played on Saturday, Orapa United won 2-0 against  Mahalapye Railways Highlanders while Masitaoka and  Prisons XI played to a  one-all draw. ENDS