29 Oct 2023

Despite it being still early in the season, Notwane coach, Fowler Setswe is already concerned about his team’s lack of firepower upfront, saying a remedy is needed for the team to put a good showing this season.

He said this after his team scrapped a solitary win away to City Polar in the First Division South League game played at the SSG grounds on Saturday, courtesy of Lemogang Kgosi’s strike early in the first half.

In a post-match interview, Setswe said looking at the chances they created, they could have scored atleast two or three goals.

“I think our problem is too many exchanges in the midfield. Notwane is a possessive team, but we will have to restrict players and encourage them to move the ball forward too often,” he said.

Setswe said they came into the game aware that City Polar was an energetic team that ran a lot and with a good coach.

Therefore, he said, the plan was to contain them.

For his part, City Polar coach, Nelson Olebile said his team lost because of their poor approach of the game in the first half.

“We lost a lot of balls that we were not supposed to lose, even simple duels. We were more reactionary to their play,” he said.

He said even though they were aware that Notwane was an experienced team, they could have atleast salvaged a draw should they had been more aggressive.

The first half belonged to Notwane as they controlled the game, but City Polar turned the game around in the second half, especially after the introduction of 18-year-old winger, Miguel Kgomo, who put pressure on Notwane and totally changed the game.

Quizzed on why he stared him on the bench despite his talent, Olebile said it was part of the sport.

“Football is a game of gambles. Sometimes you start with a player and they do not give you what you want than when they started on the bench,” he said.

Even though Kgomo was talented, he said he did not want to rush him looking at his age and the fact that this was his first season in the first division football.

City Polar will now face the high flying, former Premier League side, Extension Gunners well aware that they will have to improve on their defence to be able to contain the Peleng giants.

On the other hand, Notwane will face Tlokweng United.

Meanwhile in other games played on Saturday in the First Division South, Extension Gunners let slip a two goal lead to draw 2-2 away to Mogoditshane Fighters while UB Hawks held Mochudi Centre Chiefs to a goalless draw.

Union Flamengo Santos came with maximum points from Tsabong, where they beat Desert Nxau 2-1. Ends