Thursday, February 13, 2025

Can Magosi faithful drive their team to survival?

By Telegraph Reporter

In Botswana football, there is no better sight than that of Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ supporters, all clad in team replica in full song!

Over the years, these passionate supporters have not only added colour, but have helped drive their team to success.

However, with continued decline of the team’s fortunes, which has left it in the relegation zone, the beautiful sight of Magosi supporters gleefully cheering their team has of late been a rare occurrence.

In the absence of their ‘12th man,’ Magosi’s struggles became pronounced as the team’s struggles deepened.

It was however a different scenario this past weekend as Magosi supporters returned to the stadium in large numbers and rallied behind their team with song and dance, to help dig it out of the relegation mud.

Against Extension Gunners on Saturday afternoon, the Magosi faithful sang and cheered for their team from the first whistle to the last as they sought to be the propel Magosi to survival.

Although the supporters and the team did not get all the three points they sought as they were held to a 2 all draw, signs were there that the Kgatleng outfit, with the help of its supporters can survive.

Despite seeing their team, more especially top man Terrence Mandaza squander a couple of clear cut chances in the first half, the supporters did not get disheartened. One of those chances had come in the 30th minute when Mandaza could not sort his feet out with only the goalkeeper to beat after receiving an inviting pass from Bakang Leshona.

Their faith was however repaid two minutes from recess as while in the middle of a song, Mandaza put them in the lead with a tap in from a corner kick to send them into frenzy and let Chiefs go to recess with a goal advantage.

Buoyed by the display of Leshona, along with Morris Rudzivo and Sekhana Koko and occasionally Mandaza, who were giving Gunners defenders problems, it was no surprise that some supporters predicted a win when the game went to recess.

While their happiness was cut short by a Kenanao Kgetholetsile goal just eight (8) minutes from recess, Chiefs would go on to regain their lead on the 58th minute when Koko hit the net from Mandaza’s through ball.

While Chiefs failed to hold on to win the game, with Baokeditse Talane levelling for Gunners with just 4 minutes remaining, the display by Chiefs has left many Magosi faithful optimistic of surviving relegation.

The same optimism was shared by the Chiefs General Manager Zahid Jalal who opined that the team will survive. He however said the club needs at least five players to compete against the best in the league.

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