14 Dec 2023

The Botswana Premier League fixture played at the VTM Arena on Wednesday saw Holy Ghost and Matebele FC play to a goalless draw with many chances being wasted by both sides.

The game, which was played under the hot weather condition, was also marred by career threatening and dangerous tackles that saw the referee of the match having to call the medical team to attend to players often.

Holy Ghost head coach, Reuben Chikoti thanked God for the results as they played a very strong team that usually scores a lot of goals and said for them to escape without a goal conceded is a bonus.

He said they came knowing that Matebele has strong links, which they use to launch their onslaught but they came prepared to close those and open them up to create opportunities to score.

Chikoti added that they had to play a more compact game and close them up while opening them on the wings.

They did not play well but they were able to read the game and make calculative movements that stopped their opponents from scoring goals.

He rued the chances that his team created but were wasted

Chikoti said he believes in the quality of players he has and they can deliver the mandate as long as they take instructions well and execute them accordingly.

Matebele FC head coach, Nicholas Jacobs said the game was a 50-50 possession game and either side could have won the game but was happy to take a point home.

He said even though his strikers failed to utilise the chances created to bury their opponents, they played very well and defended solidly to avert chances from Holy Ghost.

Jacobs said his team is made up of young players who are still learning and their development in the long run will be critical for the upliftment and growth of the team. Jacobs added that they are happy to be in the position they are, position six in the log even though they have lost two crucial points.

He said it is important to climb up the log and stay in the top half, adding that for a new team to do so is commendable as the young players are playing with big teams in the league and learning with each and every game.

The coach said they need to go back to the drawing board and prepare for the next game against Morupule Wanderers.

Matebele substitutes, Thabo Maponda and Emmanuel Thabe in the second half changed the momentum of the game as they put a lot of pressure on Holy Ghost defence as

Patrick Kaunda and Kgakgamatso Ramatshosa had to work overtime.

In the end, none of them managed to find the back of the net and they have only themselves to blame. ENDS