15 Feb 2025

With his team visiting Taung Young Strikers at Be Free Park in Taung this afternoon, Notwane head coach Thatayamodimo Tebele admits that they have had some ups and downs including losing some vital points in the first round.

However, he said things were still looking good for them as they were clinging to their mission of completing the first round amongst the top four.

From nine matches, Sechaba as Notwane is affectionately called, has won four drawn four, lost once, and are in position four with 16 points.

They will complete the first round with a rescheduled fixture against Desert Nxau on Wednesday.

"I hope if we resume the second round with the same attitude and mentality of striving to collect maximum points through all the games we could challenge the championship. As soon as the second round starts we still have to fight to see ourselves ascending the log. Our target is to promote the team but it is not everyone’s cup of tea as we are also facing tough opponents who are also eyeing to clutch the crown. Provided we could maintain our momentum we will make it,” Tebele said in an interview yesterday.

Tebele said they would use the mid season break to get back to the drawing board and try to fix all the obstacles that led them to lose some of the games.

When giving an overview of the first round,  Tebele said they observed that they performed averagely in away games while the graph for the homes games was consistent. He said it was in home fixtures were where they found nirvana.

Second placed Police XI whose whip has been rattling ceaselessly this season were lately beaten 2-1 by Sechaba in their last encounter.

The defeat saw the Jungle Kings sliding down from the apex of the log to number two behind Tlokweng United on goal difference.

Police XI manager Phenyo 'Hadji' Nkgelepang said their previous loss was not yet the fat lady singing for his outfit, adding that despite suffering their first loss his team did not lose the momentum. He said the defeat was a wake call for them not to feel overconfident. 

“We came back home having taken a bitter pill but our boys proved to be soldiers. In all honesty, first division is not for the faint hearted. It is really tough. Every game is like a cup final. If you are aware our team is a completely new team therefore, we took the better time trying to put up pieces into one. So I think we had a good first round despite losing many points where we drew games which we could have grinded,” said Nkgelepang.

Nkgelepang added that they were hoping to win their encounter at their home ground, Otse Police College, against struggling Holy Ghost this afternoon.

“My boys are ready for a peaceful fight. I trust my boys are now all in the performing stage and it is plus going into the second round of the season. This not going to be easy since all competitors are showing intentions but the Jungle Kings are ready to use every gun they have to shoot and kill,” Nkgelepang said.

Yesterday, City Polar beat UB Hawks 1-0 at BPSC Stadium.

In other fixtures this afternoon
Desert Nxau will lock horns with Jwaneng Young Strikers at Tsabong VDC ground, Magosi hosts Sand Diamonds at Siga ground, while Prison XI welcomes Tlokweng United at SSG ground. ENDS