There was no goal drought this weekend as the Botswana Premier League got off to a blistering start. In a goal filled weekend, at least 27 goals, including three braces were scored as the 2014 /15 league kicked off.
The goal tally, which sets a tone for this year’s championship represents at least three goals per match. Of all the goals scored over the weekend, three were scored on the first game of the season on Friday as league debutants, Sankoyo Bush Bucks started life in the elite league with a 2-1 win over Motlakase Power Dynamos.
The win, which will sure boost the Maun based club’s hopes of maintaining their premier league status kickstarted the weekend goal fest which saw at least 18 goals scored across the five games played on the second day of the league campaign on Saturday.
BDF IX was the weekend’s biggest winner as they thrashed ECCO City Greens 4-1. The win was a clear show of intent for ‘Matebele,’ as BDF XI is affectionately known. After failing to win the league championship in the 2013/14 season, mainly due to being docked six points which left them three points adrift of winners Township Rollers, BDF XI have ‘an axe to grind’ and will be out to prove a point.
Another goal fest was between city giants, Gaborone United, and last year’s relegation survivors Notwane, with the two teams scoring five goals between them.
In a gripping encounter that saw GU claw their way back from a two goal deficit, it was Notwane who eventually emerged winners as Emmanuel Machinya scored a 77th minute goal to seal his brace and earn Notwane a hard fought win over their city rivals.
The win will come as a relief and much needed morale booster to Notwane, who have fought relegation over the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, other league debutants, Letlapeng United marked their first league appearance with a 3-0 win over Orapa United, thanks to Koketso Mokgantutswane’s brace and a strike from experienced midfielder Patrick Mathaba.
Though still too early in the league, the win leaves the Ramotswa based outfit perched second at the top of the league table. In Lobatse, it was another woeful week for Peleng giants, Extension Gunners who were drubbed 2-0 by Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
The loss by Gunners will put more pressure on their already under fire coach, Dragojlo Stanojlovic. Elsewhere, it was a bad weekend for Mahalapye based league debutants, BR Highlanders who suffered a 2-1 bruising at the hands of FC Satmos.
Satmos’ goals were scored by Lovers Mofokeng while Highlanders’ goal came courtesy of Lucky Vundla. On Sunday, league defending champions, Township Rollers squandered a 2-0 lead as they were held to a two- all draw by Police XI.
Rollers showed intent in the first half, with a penalty strike from Jerome Louis’ and a stunning set piece from fullback Otlaantshekela Mooketsi ensuring the league champions went to recess 2-0 ahead of Police.
Tables were however turned on Rollers in the second half as Ndiyapo Letsholathebe pulled one goal for Police before Uyapo Seleka leveled from the spot to ensure the two teams shared the spoils.
In another game played on the same day, NICO United and BMC played to a 1 all draw in Selibe Phikwe. The six goals from the campaign’s first draws on Sunday increased the weekend’s goal tally to a whooping 27 goals in one weekend.
