Gaborone United (GU) has regained the leadership of the Premier League after defeating Naughty Boys 5-0 at Molepolole Sports complex on Friday.
GU now has 36 points, two ahead of second placed, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and seven ahead of third placed Township Rollers.
The game against the Tlokweng side signaled the end of the first round and meaning that the league is headed for a grueling second round. GU, on the other hand, proved that they are serious contenders for the league because of the depth they have. They used some of the players they rarely used in the past and they proved to be effective.
Boniface Makolo and Wellington Maposa were vital cog members of the team. Maposa, together with Sandaka, scored a brace while Chikomo scored the other goal.
GU scored two quick goals early in the first half from Maposa and Sandaka. Just ten minutes before half time Maposa netted the third one against disjointed Naughty Boys.
Many supporters who thronged Molepolole sports complex thought Naughty Boys would be rejuvenated in the second half to reduce the deficit and even eventually leveling matters. It was not to be as GU continued to dominate.
Just 12 minutes into the second half, Sandaka scored the fourth goal from a beautiful header. Naughty Boys goalie, Basimanebotlhe Moilwa, thought Sandaka was going for a direct header. But the latter forced the ball to hit the ground first, a trick that got Moilwa off balance as he watched the ball go in.
Naught Boys defence was in total disarray and hard tackling defender, David Mfolo, did not have a good combination with fellow defenders. In most cases, Mfolo, together with Thatayaone Moshebe, were always caught flat footed, mainly because they are defenders of similar caliber. Even up front, Naughty Boys did little to trouble intact GU defence led by Joseph Phetogo and Gabriel Bokhutlo. The last nail in Naughty Boys coffin was in stoppage time when, Ronald Chikomo scored from a header after a beautiful cross from the left flank. The score line could even have been higher had it not been for the acrobatic saves of Moilwa. The former under 20 goalkeeper had, on several occasions, thwarted dangerous balls written ‘goal’ all over. Credit for GU must go to their midfield that never wilted in anyway. Under 20 sensations, Ofentse Nato and Ntesang ‘Mirror’ Simanyana, together with Tshepo Molefhe had an excellent game.
Simanyana was the one who was a thorn in the flesh for Naughty Boys. He took on their defence head on and it was not surprising when the referee had to, time and again, flash yellow cards to Naughty Boys defenders.
The loss for Naughty Boys has further sunk them in the relegation zone, and if they do not pull up their socks they are going back where they came from last season.
Naughty Boys have five points and Nico United just above them, has 10 points with two games in hand.
