18 Apr 2024

The Jwaneng outfit defeated BDF XI 2-1. Jwaneng Galaxy have so far accumulated 53 points, followed by Rollers with 48 points and Gaborone United on third with 41 points.

The result will likely heighten the tempo of the Gaborone derby fixture between Rollers and GU on Saturday (April 20) as both teams will be focused on closing the gap between them and Galaxy.
Despite getting an early lead on the 12th minute through Oratile Taunyane, BDF XI made a blunder on the 48th minute which resulted in Daniel Msendami equalising for the log leaders. Msendami intercepted a back pass, rounded Matebele goalkeeper Kagiso Matlou and scored the equalising goal.
The goal injected life into Jwaneng Galaxy and their constant attacks gave them a winning goal through Thabang Sesinyi. Other than securing three points for Galaxy and extending their lead, the goal increased Sesinyi’s goals who is the current leading top goal scorers to 14 goals.
In a post-match interview, Jwaneng Galaxy coach, Morena Ramoreboli added that his team needed to win. Ramoreboli said despite starting the game well, keeping the ball and getting into the right spaces well on time, it was unfortunate that the goal his team scored was disallowed, and ultimately followed by a goal from the opponent.He said his team seem to have immediately dropped the momentum as they were clouded by the disallowed goal and the opponent capitalising on the confusion and emotions to get a legitimate goal.Ramoreboli said his team was fortunate to get to the halftime break trailing by a goal. He said the halftime break was necessary for his team to regroup, tweak their formation and eventually getting the much needed equalising goal.He said urging his attackers to use the inner corridor in launching their opponents worked well for his team. Ramoreboli said credit must go to the players as their played their hearts out in a demanding fixture. “I am happy with how we handled the match and pushing forward until the last minute,” he said. Ramoreboli said with the league remaining with nine matches, it was important to note that the league title remains an open contest. He said the most important thing was how much his team wanted to get, therefore it was important to remain consistent and win matches.

He said he will not stop demanding more from his players as they have the potential to do so more so that the league was coming to a close and dropping points was not an option. BDF XI coach, Nelson Setshwane said his team was given the first 45 minutes to finish off the match, and despite getting goal scoring opportunities in abundance, the countless misses let them down.

Setshwane said in the second half, Jwaneng Galaxy came up charged to get an equaliser while his team was sluggish in reacting, resulting in an unnecessary error letting in a goal that dismantled their game plan.
He said such error will always be costly and put his team in an unfavourable position in the league. After playing 21 games, with nine to go BDF XI is on position 10 with 24 points. The team has in the recent past encounters registered four defeats and two draws, therefore continue to drop down the log. Setshwane said the current scenario was challenge that his team was faced with and therefore has to work on coming out of the situation.

He said it was not something that could be addressed overnight. However, he said the team was determined to come up with solutions. “We are working on it. We are trying to come out of the situation. It will be addressed at one point,” he said. BOPA