14 Feb 2022

Kabelo Babusi and Odirile Lekoba continued their sparkling goal scoring exploits in Extension Gunners’ 3-1 victory over Mogoditshane Fighters on Sunday.

Not much was known about the two players when Gunners signed them at the beginning of the Botswana Premier League season.

However, they have fitted into the team like a hand to glove and terrorise defenders every week.

In Gunners’ Wednesday match, Lekoba hit four goals while Babusi scored a hat-trick as Mapantsula trounced Prisons XI 7-2.

On Sunday, it took only eight minutes for Njabulo, as Babusi is affectionately called by the supporters, to locate the net against the relegation threatened Fighters in Lobatse.

The speedy winger exchanged passes with Dirang Moloi on the edge of the penalty area, cleverly found space behind the static Fighters defence to slot the ball past goalkeeper, Onneile Ditshito.

The goal took his tally to 13 and the former Tlokweng Red Sparks man is now the premier league leading goal scorer, one goal ahead of seasoned campaigners Thatayaone Kgamanyane of Gaborone United and Thabang Sesinyi of Jwaneng Galaxy.

Babusi spent the afternoon menacing Fighters’ left back Phenyo Lebopo and could have added more goals to his tally.

After Thamiso ‘Scara’ Gaogangwe had curled in an equaliser for the Samba Boys in the 24th minute, it was Lekoba’s turn to inflict pain on the opposition.

The hard-working forward rose high to head home a perfectly flighted ball from Kgotso Phuti to restore Gunners’ lead in the 37th minute. This was Lekoba’s 11th goal of the campaign.

The youngster, who was signed from Southern Region Division 1 side Rivergrass United of Molapowabojang, is enjoying a dream campaign in the top division.

Omphile Vissage extended Gunners’ lead in the 44th minute when he shot through Ditshito legs after exchanging passes with Moloi and Babusi.

At that point, it looked like Gunners would go on the rampage as Babusi had another effort cleared off the line after breaking through the sloppy Fighters defence.

But Fighters improved significantly after making several substitutions in the second half, with Tshepo Keselebale in particular, linking well with the talented Gaogangwe and Othusegile Botsetswe.

Keselebale had a chance to pull one back but he ballooned an inviting opportunity over the post after dribbling past Gunners left back Obusitse Gabadise.

Following the victory, Gunners climbed to position seven on the log standings with 28 points from 18 matches while Fighters remained on position 15 with 10 points from 18 matches. ENDS