05 Nov 2023

Extension Gunners’ impressive start to the First Division South League came to an end after they suffered a shocking 3-1 defeat to City Polar in Lobatse on Saturday.

Gunners had climbed to the top of the log after beating Black Forest and UB Hawks and a draw with Mogoditshane Fighters in their first three matches.

However, on Saturday, their supporters could only watch in disbelief as their team’s defence was torn apart in its first match at the Lobatse Sport Complex in more than a decade.

They started brightly though and came close to opening the scoring through Kabo Matshula in the third minute and a vibrant move involving Thamiso Gagoangwe, Gape Thibedi and Boyo Lechaena resulted with Matshula receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area.

The midfielder, however dispatched his shot narrowly over the posts. Under the tutelage of coach Nelson Olebile, City Polar aka ‘Jungle Rose’ were resolute at the back and tormented Gunners with enterprising attacks by Morapedi Kengaletswe, Chabaesele Mositwane and Golesedi Motlopi.

Motlopi sent a shot narrowly wide after finding space behind Gunners centre backs Benson Mosokobanji and Thapelo Legae in the eighth minute.

Motlopi then side footed past goalkeeper Ofentse Tauyatswala to open the scoring in the 17th minute after capitalising on poor marking by Gagoangwe and Legae.

The Kgatleng team doubled its lead 14 minutes later when Kengaletswe slotted into the bottom corner after more sluggish marking by the Mapantsula defence.

With half-time approaching, the visitors piled more misery on the home supporters with the third goal. Kealeboga Koko shrugged off Mosokobanji before crossing the ball for Kengaletswe to flick a header past Tauyatswala, earning his brace.

Gunners coach, Daniel Nare replaced Buang Dithebe, Matshula and Legae with Onkokame Koontse, Mosimanegape Ntwaetsile and Pako Obakeng at the start of the second half.

The changes seemed to have an impact as Gunners improved in the second half.

They pulled one goal back through a well taken penalty by Ntwaetsile in the 72nd minute after a City Polar defender handled the ball inside the box.

However, the visitors’ defence of Boikobo Kebafedile, Koko, Botshelo Tiro and Tumisang Mokopi held firm as the ‘Jungle Rose’ registered its second victory of the campaign to move to six points from four matches. Gunners are at seven points from four matches. Ends