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Botswana: GNT Dreams On
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The Voice (Francistown)
6 May 2008
Posted to the web 6 May 2008
Innocent Tshukudu
Francistown-based side Great North Tigers (GNT) wasted valuable chances that could have provided a smooth ride for their championship campaign as they lost 3-0 to visitors FC Satmos last weekend.
Their PRO, Amogelang Mabote, attributed the defeat to poor preparation and unavailability of some of their key players. Midfielder Motlhokomedi Mombala was serving a one game suspension while marksman Mothusi Mpatane was unfit for the game due to a knee injury.
On Thursday, the Police-backed GNT, who have been on pole position for most of the season, will be keen to enhance their promotion credentials when they follow a struggling Boston FC to Mahalapye in a crucial fixture that is expected to provide fireworks. Should they pick maximum points from this game, GNT will need only one victory from their remaining fixtures to be assured of automatic promotion. On paper, GNT are favourites to win the game and although he is confident of victory, Mabote is also aware that games aren't played on paper.
"We beat them 3-1 in the first round and what makes them even more dangerous is the fact that they desperately need to get away from the relegation trap-door. We'll need to put up a good fight against them lest they put us in a difficult position. We've been campaigning for promotion not survival and we did not come this far to stop now. We've never played in the premier league and the highest we've ever been is this far," he said.
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A glance at the league table this week suggests that the top six teams have mathematical chances of catching up with GNT, but realistically it is Miscellaneous who stand a better chance of challenging for honours. The Serowe-based club, together with Stonebreakers and BR Highlanders, are beneficiaries of soft points forfeited from Red-Lions who were penalized for failing to honour the three fixtures. The generosity has elevated Miscellaneous to the second spot with 36 points and as they pray for GNT to lose their remaining games they'll be hoping to narrow the four points gap by picking maximum points when they host Orapa Bucs on May Day.
The league contenders have good chances of victory over the holiday as, in Orapa Bucs, they face a less motivated side. Bucs are tenth placed in the twelve-team league with 21 points, eleven points clear of the chasing pack. They basically don't have as much inspiration to avoid defeat as Miscellaneous.
Meanwhile GNT will be determined to continue their lead as they welcome Mothusi Mpatane who is expected to combine with forward livewire Barulaganyi Radiakanyo and Mothibedi Tichana to find the back of the Boston net. In the middle of the park, the crafty Mombala, who watched the game from the stands, will return from suspension to give coach Thaza Moleofi more options as he joins skipper David Tlhowe, Mbatshi Makhala, Molemogi Chalashika and sharp-shooter Rabson Masawuso. Goalkeeper Lorato Keamogetswe will be protected by a formidable defence that has conceded only 19 goals in 19 games marshaled by Zero Chodwapi and Mothusi Kholi, a late season's capture from Tafic.
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