Stars shine to keep survival hopes alive
On a damp, overcast Saturday at the Old Francistown Stadium, a ray of light shone bright for Calendar Stars, who breathed new life into their fight for Premier League survival with a 1-0 win over Sua Flamingoes.
It was the first time in 11 attempts this season that the newly- promoted side have tasted victory on Ghetto’s grass and gives them renewed hope of avoiding the drop with eight games to go.
In truth, Sua should have been out of sight long before Mogomotsi Madome’s 56 th minute header gave Stars a lead they never relinquished.
Enduring a day to forget in-front of the posts, the Flam Boys appeared to have left their shooting boots back in Sowa Town, fluffing several golden opportunities.
The attacking quartet of: Samuel Makgoro, Tlhalefo Molebatsi, Bame Morwalela and Mcebisi Moyo were all guilty of terrible misses, squandering chances they would normally have buried.
Molebatsi, 31, in particular will be wondering how he didn’t score, dancing through the defence on a mazy run down the left, only to hit the side netting with the goal gaping after rounding the keeper.
Morwalela rattled the crossbar from close range when it looked easier to score, while Makgoro and Moyo lacked composure at the vital moment, rushing shots that should have nestled in the net but instead flew well wide.
When they did get their shots on target, Stars goalkeeper, Emmanuel Keiditswe was up to the task, putting in an assured performance to secure a rare cleansheet and three precious points.
It continues Sua’s recent dry spell since stunning Gaborone United on Valentine’s Day.
In the four matches that followed, Coach Leutlwetse Tshireletso’s have scored just twice, picking up four points in a blip that has extinguished any faint hopes of a title charge.
It should not detract from what has been another successful campaign for the salt-miners, who host Nico United this Saturday in a fixture that pits 4 th against 5 th .
Stars meanwhile, can dare to dream of safety.
The result takes Naletsana Tsa Bokone level on points with Santa Green and TAFIC, in what looks to be a three-way shootout to escape relegation.
In the uncertainty to follow, one thing’s for sure: Joseph Mokgacha’s men, who played with heart and desire on a tricky, slippery surface, will not go down without a fight.
Beating Sua gives them belief but can it give them momentum too?
MATCH STATS
CALENDAR STARS (0) 1 SUA FLAMINGOES (0) (Madome 56)
37% POSSESSION 63%
6 SHOTS 16
4 ON TARGET 6
2 CORNERS 4
5 OFFSIDE 4
13 FOULS 18
4 0 CARDS 3 0
