27 Oct 2024

Notwane Football Club were held to a disappointing goalless draw by visiting UB Hawks at the Organic acres ground in an exciting First Division South league clash on October 26.

The scorching heat was reflective of the mood when the two sides met for yet another highly charged draw after playing out to a 2-all draw in their last meeting in the second round of the 2023/2024 campaign. Sechaba, as Notwane is fondly known in football circles, were impressive off the blocks but were occasionally denied by a resolute defensive display by the youthful Alex Malete charges earning Hawks a hard fought point from the closely contested tie.

The home side dominated possession in the first half but were unable to break the ice with Anthony Basupang in Hawks last line of defence tipping out a number of on target shots.

Hawks started the second stanza on the front foot and Malete rang double changes introducing newly signed Modisaotsile Ntusa and Thomas Tshotlego for the ineffective Kago Sesinyi and Thabang Bojosi.

The two combined well but could not break the watertight Notwane defence.

On the other side, Notwane created a couple of chances on the counter but were also unable to utilise the clear cut chances squandering many glorious opportunities. Malete rued his charges missed chances but said they turned their focus to their next fixture.

Hawks had an exciting and challenging campaign last season in their maiden first division campaign and ended on position five.

They also had a good run in the highly coveted Orange FA cup falling to Jwaneng Galaxy FC in the semi-finals. Due to their impressive campaign the team lost a number of good regular players to top tier league teams and recruited new and exciting talent in the mould of Ntusa from Naughty Boys, Pitso Motshidisi from Matebejana, Bojosi from Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Tefo Norman of Tlokweng United among others.

Meanwhile, First Division South League campaign took place across different grounds same afternoon. At the SSG grounds City Polar FC held Prisons XI to a one-all draw.

At the Tlokweng VDC grounds Desert Nxau FC took home a point following a goalless draw with Tlokweng United.

The visitors took all the maximum points in Tsabong in their last fixture in Tsabong last season. In Hukuntsi, Police XI new gaffer Paradzayi Mandivenga got a rude awakening in his first assignment falling 0-2 to new boys Sand Diamonds FC.

At the Holy Ghost Park, it was sweet revenge for Taung Young Strikers who beat the home side Holy Ghost by a solitary goal after the latter walloped them 1-3 and were eventually crowned champions in the 2022 campaign. Ends