Many people thought Notwane’s performance would be disastrous following their release of three of their regular players to the national Under 20 team. In one match they played on Sunday, Notwane, mainly made up of youngsters, gave title contenders, Extension Gunners, a run for their money. Notwane lost the services of Galabgwe Moyana, Kenamile Mani and Odirile Kgaodi who are the pillars of the team.
The move by Notwane to release the players was seen as suicidal because Notwane are in a precarious position in the league and relegation is possible. Also in the few matches Moyana featured in before leaving for South Africa, he was inspirational because his best second-to-none crosses fed fellow strikers well and they scored.
There was an outcry on who exactly would emulate him. Against Gunners on Sunday, Notwane were a totally different team and one would not believe that they are among the three log trailers.
As is always the case, Notwane registered their seventh draw of the season and remain winless to date.
They are so far the only team not to have registered a victory from ten matches played so far. Somehow luck was not on Notwane’s side as they could have buried Gunners with an avalanche of goals.
The youngsters marshaled the pitch as if they had been playing elite football for some time. Notwane led twice only for Gunners to come back.
Pako Moloi, who scored the first Notwane goal, had also an impressive game.
First, victory was within the grasp of Notwane but Gunners equalised in injury time. Credit must, however, go to the most senior players of Notwane who are leading the young boys.
Moreetsi Mosimanyana is indeed the pillar of the team at the back and thwarted many dangerous moves Gunners made. Although he ended up conceding a penalty, he in turn made sure Gunners strikers did not easily get inside the box. Mosimanyana reduced to nothing the most prolific Gunners’ strikers who always score on a weekly basis.
Leading goal scorer Bernard Simakwenzi was reduced to an ordinary player, as was Aime Nzobanahayo.
Tebogo Sembowa was a mobile player and coordinated the midfield with the striking force together with the man of the match, Keoagetse ‘Barnes Radipotsane.
Gunners have Kgololo Leteane to thank after netting a beautiful goal that is rarely seen on the local scene.
Emanuel Nlu scored the other Gunners goal from the penalty spot.
