With the second leg of the battle for promotion in the Debswana First Division South League (DFDSL) intensifying with every game, log leaders Sharps Electrical will today lock horns with former elite league giants Notwane in an interesting return leg affair at Lesirane grounds.
Perched on fifth spot with Prisons XI at 17 points, Notwane are gunning for revenge after losing 3 – 0 to the log leaders last weekend in the first round.
The fierce battle marks one of the interesting encounters over the weekend with ambitious Sharps seeking to open the gap at the top of the table in the quest to gain promotion to the elite league next season.
Under the tutelage of former Extension Gunners and assistant national team gaffer Keitumetse ‘Pio’ Paul, Sharps lost one game this season and have since tightened the screws on their winning streak.
This week Paul said the return match would be a mountain to climb as their opponents would be out for revenge.
“We will approach the game with caution to avoid complacency. Last week’s result is water under the bridge; we will fight for maximum points. It has been a rainy week and we could not prepare as we planned but we have to soldier on,” said Paul.
He said their ambition is to reach the last game of the season leading the pack to earn automatic promotion.
“We have an objective to reach the last game without tumbling; we are good at the moment and need to stay focused. We have experienced players in the likes of skipper Monageng Thaele, Moemedi Moatlhaping and Langa Mabuli. Their presence proves to be vital in guiding youngsters,” Paul said.
For his part, Notwane coach George Mogopodi is eager to turn the tables this time around in their efforts to close down the seven-point gap. He said his mission was to gain promotion this season and revealed that it was possible as the championship title race is still open.
“There is tough competition in this league so the past result do not matter much as we are taking the game to them today with intensions to emerge victorious. We are really determined to compete if we fancy chances of returning to the elite league,” explained Mogopodi.
He said all stakeholders should be on board if they are to witness Notwane return to the elite league. “If our dream is to come back to the Premiership we need to work as a team. It does not only concern players and coaches for the club to bounce back, all stakeholders involved should go an extra mile to achieve the objective,” concluded Mogopodi.
Meanwhile, former Premiership side Prisons XI will meet rookies Matebejane this afternoon at the SSG grounds while the last encounter this weekend pits Letlapeng against Lesirane in Ramotswa at the Siga ground.
