“We still have a chance to finish on a high note. All we need to do is to improve our conversion rate. We’ve been creating many chances during games but we always waste them. Though most people believe that the League is beyond our reach, I believe we still stand a chance. All we need to do is to win our games and see what happens,” said Shilongo. Ahead of their trip to Selebi-Phikwe on March 15 for their return leg against Nico United, Shilongo told this publication that his side, Gaborone United, would return from the copper-nickel mining town unscathed.┬á The Reds take a slim 2-1 win to the sleepy town but Shilongo is confident that his side is capable of hurting their opponents in their own backyard. “It is not going to be easy playing them at home but the confidence is there in the team. They proved to be stubborn when they came here on (February 21) but we know what we want to achieve. We’re going out there to fight,” said Shilongo.
It was at the same Selebi-Phikwe Stadium where Shilongo won a lot of people’s hearts with some silky skills against FC Satmos in the first leg of Mascom Top 8 quarterfinals at the end of November. “It will be nice for us to win this cup for our supporters who have been fantastic,” Shilongo added. The 23 year-old striker pointed out that he has enjoyed every moment of his career since joining the Reds. “So far so good. I love it here because GU have been taking good care of me. Everyone has been fantastic and it would be nice to reward the club for taking care of me,” he said. Before he came here, Shilongo said that he used to watch Botswana football on television and he is happy that he can contribute towards the improvement of the League. “Remember that Jerome Louis (Township Rollers) was already playing here when GU recruited me so I didn’t hesitate to come,” he said. Although there were reports towards the end of last year that Township Rollers were interested in the striker, Shilongo dismissed the allegations. He pointed out that his dream is to move to South African Premier League. “I’m happy at GU but if the opportunity comes to move to South Africa, I’ll grab it. As for Rollers, they have never approached me. I heard the reports from other people,” he added.