For the second week running, Gaborone United (GU) narrowly escaped with a 1-0 victory in the Mascom Premier League. A fortnight ago it was Zimbabwean Edmore Mufema's single strike which powered GU to victory against Lobtrans Gunners in Lobatse while on Sunday night at the National Stadium, Willie Mantu was the one-goal hero against Flamengo Santos.

The win means that the Reds and Mochudi Centre Chiefs are the only sides with a 100 percent record after two games in the Premier League. The two sides currently lead the standings with six points with Chiefs occupying pole position because of goal difference. After beating Notwane 2-0 a fortnight ago, Santos approached the game against GU in high spirits. In the first half, Santos passed the ball well and pushed forward, putting pressure on goalkeeper Kgosietsile Senjoba. Santos created several opportunities, which went to waste because of poor finishing.

By half time, Santos appeared the more organised side but the front were either misfiring or allowing the GU defence to clear dangerous balls with ease. In the second half, GU came back more determined and after 55 minutes, the pint-sized Mantu collected a loose ball and clinically finished past goalkeeper Raphael Nthwane. Before Mantu's goal, Sageby Sandaka had misfired from Tshepo 'Schoolboy' Molefe's corner. The corner came after Thuso Mosweu forced Nthwane to parry the ball over the bar.

After the goal, GU upped their game as left winger Gothata Samoenza kept pumping crosses into the opponents' box but strikers Mufema, Ronald Chikomo and Sandaka failed to take advantage. The Santos' search for an equaliser was spearheaded by Khumo Motlhabane, Donald Lopang and Jack Maphaga who were outstanding in the game. Maphaga in particular initiated some good runs and was unlucky not to score. With 15 minutes to go, his grass cutter went narrowly wide.

A minute later, the workaholic Maphaga was replaced with Innocent 'Koti' Ranku. Like all the substitutes in the match, the former international made little impact.