19 Oct 2023

Rejuvenated Lobatse giants, Extension Gunners looks to continue their journey of revival and perfect start to the Debswana First Division South League campaign when they face UB Hawks FC at the National Stadium tonight.

Mapantsula, as the Peleng-based team is fondly called, make the trip buoyed by their emphatic away 1-0 victory in their opening encounter against URI Black Forest in Mmankgodi this past weekend.

In sharp contrast, the youthful Hawks side recently promoted to the second tier league campaign after a good run in the Southern block promotional playoffs, are highly charged for the 7pm battle.

Hawks team manager, Hassan Stoffel was confident that his boys had shown character in their opening league game against the in-form Notwane FC holding them to a goal apiece last weekend.

Stoffel said they had assembled exciting young talent who had settled well in the closely contested league campaign.

Among key players in camp are team skipper Bonno Sepako. Hawks have roped in the services of former Mochudi Centre Chiefs utility playmaker, Khumoetsile Kufigwa. The veteran attacker is likely to add impetus to the youthful sides attack.

Hawks also brought in Ishmael Metlhaleng and Kagiso Mokaeya from Chiefs and Mogoditshane Fighters respectively. 

Hawks are under the watchful eye of coach Basimanebotlhe Malete, who had been guiding them since 2019 making him the longest serving coach in the first division now.

Meanwhile, Gunners welcome back to the technical bench coach Daniel ‘Chicco’ Nare who sat out the away win last weekend due to other engagements.

Nare is expected to guide Guna Guna against a stubborn Hawks side who are proving their mettle in their new journey on the first division campaign.

Ofentse Nato who marshalled the defensive middle field in Mmankgodi is a doubtful starter tonight owing to a muscle pull.

Gunners’ administration manager Owe Mmolawa said the morale in the camp was high and all the players and supporters in good spirits.

He said they managed to create a hype in the camp and among supporters even before they started on their first division campaign.

Gunners have a good number of new faces who might come to the party.

In Mmankgodi last weekend, Benson Mosokobanji, Thamiso Gagoangwe and Boyo Lechaena were on their best performances.

In other league games pencilled for week two of the campaign,  Young Stars welcome Union Flamingo Santos at the Galaxy Stadium.

Desert Nxau travel to the SSG ground for a date with Prisons XI while Chiefs entertains URI Black Forest at the River Plate Stadium in Mochudi.

On Sunday, Notwane hosts Fighters at SSG while City Polar travels to Tlokweng VDC for a date with Tlokweng United. Ends