08 Oct 2023

Considering the circumstances, a zero-all draw against Gaborone United (GU) is a point gained for NICO United, assistant coach Monametsi Kelebale says.

Kelebale believes that GU, with their wealth of experience and recent run in CAF Confederations Cup, were a massive side to beat.

Snatching a point, although home, against such a comparatively decorated side, was invaluable to the team that hardly had enough preparatory games, according to the former NICO skipper.

In a post-match interview at Sam Sono Stadium Saturday, where the two sides failed to find the back of the net, NICO assistant coach said they were content with the result.

“Of course, we would have loved to collect three points home, but we won’t beat ourselves up especially that this is the first game of the season,” said Kelebale adding that it would be disingenuous of the team to critically judge the boys’ performance this early.

However, Kelebale was impressed with what he thought a beautiful game of football, saying both sides were out to attack.

Having watched GU in action before, NICO coaches set to dominate midfield where they found GU to be strong with the likes of Mothusi Cooper asserting themselves.

Be that as it may, Kelebale was adamant that his midfield, boasting Kudakwashe Tsvamuno and Fidel Ntshekisang, was determined enough to dominate against the visitors. “All NICO need now is sharpening their charges for their next challenging assignment against Jwaneng Galaxy by refining their goal-scoring manoeuvres,” Kelebale said.

On the other hand, GU coach, Pontsho Moloi found Sam Sono Stadium ‘a difficult place to come to.’ “The last time we were here we lost…we could have snatched it in the last moments where we picked some pieces there, but it is a very difficult place to come to,” Moloi said. Although GU played without six of their key players, amongst others Lebogang Ditsile, Thatayaone Kgamanyane and Mpho Kgaswane owing to injuries, some of the key figures like Onkabetse Makgantai were not selected due to internal issues, according to coach Moloi.

“We’re not a team to complain, but sometimes the cohesion gets affected when you miss two or three people,” he said. Moloi was non-committal when quizzed about the significance of the result saying, ‘either way you want to look at it, we’re content.’ Despite finding the pitch horrible and unplayable, Moloi thought his players applied themselves nonetheless.

“Well, I thought the boys battled very well in a not so good pitch. It was just high and long balls, trying to play second balls. They battled so well. Physically, we were ready and good and that is the positive I’ll take from this game,” Moloi said. Ends