16 Oct 2023

Vincent Marumo’s 21^st minute goal was enough to secure maximum points for Peacemakers against home-side Calendar Stars during a Debswana First Division North league clash played at the Calendron grounds in Francistown on Saturday. 

The lethal strike mid-first stanza was a result of poor defense that forced Calendar Stars’ shot-stopper, Tanyaradzwa Ginger to try and intercept the composed Marumo who chipped the ball over and slotted into an empty net to give the Bobonong side the lead. 

Peacemakers missed a golden moment to increase the tally with Ginger well beaten but lady luck was not on their side as the shot went wide. 

Ten minutes later, Mogomotsi Madome failed to level matters for Stars from a free-kick as he blazed over the bar, much to the chagrin of the anxious Stars supporters who touted the home side to win. 

With a one-goal advantage over their opponents, Peacemakers seemed comfortable with the status quo. 

The Bobonong outfit ‘parked the bus’ and only attacked on the counter. 

Stars think-tank seemed to have run out of ideas to infiltrate the solid defense mounted by the visitors and were as such wasteful upfront. 

Because of the sweltering heat the players had to endure, the match referee allowed for a water break in the 30^th minute before the game went into halftime with Peacemakers enjoying a 1-0 score margin. 

Save for a few moments of brilliance from the two sides, the second half failed to produce any goals. 

Peacemakers assistant coach, William Motsamai, was happy that his boys managed to collect maximum three points away from home. 

“It is gratifying that we collected the three points from a side that had always been a tough nut to crack for us. 

Yes, Calendar Stars fought back but our idea to score first and deal with their high balls worked wonders for us,” he told BOPA in an interview. 

Dejected Stars coach, Vincent Chikumba described the weekend results as a bad start for his team mores it was the first game of the season and his side failed to take advantage of the home ground advantage. 

“We have disadvantaged ourselves and we need to take positives from the game. Peacemakers had two chances and scored a goal and we failed to score a single goal from an avalanche of opportunities that we created,” he said, blaming it on the lack of composure in the opponent’s box. ENDs