19 May 2024

URI Black Forest and Mogoditshane Fighters FC have fallen through the Debswana First Division South relegation trap door after an uphill battle in the closely contested league campaign.

The Mmankgodi-based URI Black Forest, fondly known as Magoleng by their hordes of diehard fans, dropped to the lower tier after a disappointing 0-3 home defeat to another relegation candidate Notwane FC at the Black Forest Park on Saturday.

Three goals from Bokamoso Moncho, Sithembile Mbuqe and Gaolatlhe Mbaiwa were enough to gift Notwane a lifeline in the campaign in the new season.

Notwane went into the match with the dreaded relegation axe hovering over their heads after failing to collect maximum points last week against Desert Nxau FC while it was obviously going to be an uphill battle for the Mmankgodi giants, who entered the field bruised from another heavy defeat against Tlokweng United and an uninspiring goal difference.

During the encounter played before an exciting crowd, Notwane looked hungrier and the likes of Mbaiwa and Moncho connected timeously and applied close range efforts that were however thwarted by the water tight Magoleng defense.

On the other hand, Magoleng failed to connect any meaningful passes to try to open Notwane backline.

In the second stanza, Notwane looked to hurt Magoleng on the counter and were finally rewarded five minutes from the start when Moncho was at the end of a brilliant build up to hit a low shot from close range.

Notwane controlled the middle of the park with relative ease and moments later, Mbuqe laid a brilliant pass to Botsetswe Othusegile whose shot went agonisingly wide.

Notwane scored the second and third goal in quick succession against a hapless Magoleng defensive block who were seemingly waiting for the final signal from the referee.

Meanwhile, Mogoditshane Fighters also fell through the relegation trap door after failing to grab maximum points after losing 1-2 against City Polar after an inspiring performance against runaway league champions Young Stars last weekend which had ended in a draw.

In other games, second-placed Uniao Flamengo Santos lost 0-1 to the visiting Mochudi Centre Chiefs and the latter leap- frogged into the top four spot.

UB Hawks, who had an impressive run in the Orange FA cup reaching the semi-finals were beaten 1-2 by Tlokweng United.

Lobatse Extension Gunners grabbed a point away to Desert Nxau. ENDS