21 Oct 2024

Orapa United coach, Dimitar Pantev has said they were not content with collecting a point away to Mochudi Centre Chiefs in their FNB premiership first round encounter.

The two met on Saturday under floodlights at the National stadium, and they shared spoils courtesy of Chiefs’ Pako Gaofose through a header early in the first half, before an equaliser in the second half through a brilliant free kick by Thato Kebue.

Pantev admitted post-match that it was a very tough match. 

“We came for three points so we are not happy, but if we could not win it means we have to create more chances,” he said.

He therefore disclosed that this season, his team has higher ambitions than last season.

The coach said having failed to collect maximum points, they would take solace in the fact that a point is better than nothing.

Pantev said despite the draw, his team had a few glaring chances they could have utilized.

“Our main problem was in the final pass in front of the box. We need to score more to realize our ambitions and create enough confidence when holding the ball,” he said.

With The Ostriches having done well to qualify for the group stages of CAF Confederations cup, many expected them to have it easy against a Chiefs side that just returned technically from the lower division.

 Pantev said that made almost every opponent they face to treat them as a favourite.

“In that way, teams get motivated when they face us, and it’s normal. 

I also have to admit that there is not much difference between some of these local teams and the international ones, so we try to give our best in every match, whether international or local,” he said.

Pantev also said two points in the first two games of the season should motivate them to work harder as a team.

For his part, Magosi caoch Enos Mmesi said they came into the game with a clear plan, knowing that Orapa United had match fitness as they have been playing tough CAF competitions.

“That also helped us to study them. We knew they play quick interplays, so we planned to close their passing line and catch them on counter attacks,” he said.

Mmesi also said they had noticed that their opponent’s defence was not so good.

“We executed our game plan almost perfectly, only that we failed to utilise the chances we created,” he said.

Mmesi however said considering the stature of Orapa United and the fact that Chiefs just assembled its squad, the performance of his team was so far very good.

“Considering all these factors, four points in the first two games of the season is impressive according to me, especially three points away and a point against Orapa,” he said.

Meanwhile the FNB premiership continues on Tuesday, with a highly anticipated fixture between Township Rollers and Jwaneng Galaxy at the National Stadium at 8pm.

Flamengo Santos will lie in wait for rookies, Chadibe FC at the VTM Arena at 4pm. 

The latter has gained some confidence after collecting two points in their first two games of their debut in the elite league.

Six games are billed for Wednesday, with VTM FC hosting Nico United at The VTM Arena, while Security Systems welcomes the fast flowing Chiefs at the Lobatse Sports Complex.

Orapa United will await fellow mining town side, Sua Flamingoes at Itekeng Stadium in Orapa to continue their ambitions of winning the premiership.

Gaborone United will welcome the smaller, but often a tough nut in Matebele FC at the BPSC stadium, while TAFIC FC visits Morupule Wanderers at the Palapye stadium.

The last fixture will see Extension Gunners travelling to Gaborone, where BDF XI will lay an ambush for them at the National Stadium.

All the Wednesday games start at 4pm except for the games between Orapa United and Sua Flamingoes, as well as the one between BDF XI and Extension Gunners, which start at 6pm and 8pm respectively. Ends