Makungulupeswa seal hard-earned promotion
Makungulupeswa showed the fighting spirit of champions in Ghetto over the weekend, coming from a goal down to triumph against Kazungula Young Fighters and seal their place in next season’s Debswana First Division North.
In a feast of football in Francistown, the Nshakashogwe minnows proved too good for Fighters, Desert Buffalos and City Kings, beating all three by a single goal to finish the Northern Block Promotional Play-Offs with a perfect, 100 percent record.
With games alternating between the dust of the Calendron Grounds in Colored and the grass of the Old Council Stadium, it was at the iconic Area S venue that Lamela Mangwe secured their promotion in front of a small but vocal crowd.
Proving the depth of local football runs deep, all four teams played their part in what was a memorable two days of high quality, intense drama in the second city.
Indeed, apart from Buffaloes smashing four past a tiring City Kings in the second half of their encounter, every single match was decided by a margin of one goal.
Having beaten Kings and Buffalos on Saturday, Makungulupeswa went into Sunday’s meeting with Fighters well aware that a point would be enough.
On the other hand, the Kazungulu outfit knew only a win would keep their hopes of progressing alive.
After a slow, nervy start to the game, the Chobe champions gradually began to exert a little control. They took the lead mid-way through the first half in scrappy fashion, their giant number nine, Innocent Maseke scrambling the loose ball home when the defence failed to clear their lines. Although the linesman failed to give the goal, the referee rightly ruled that it had crossed the line.
At that point, with Buffalos leading City Kings, it meant three teams were tied at the top on six points and identical goal differences.
Fortunately, Makungulupeswa’s storming second half performance saw the calculators put safely away.
Coach Mudanga Raimoloisi’s charges wasted no time after the restart, needing less than two minutes to draw level.
Catching their opponent’s cold with lightning fast passes, Joseph Majaga put the finishing touches to the attack, tapping in from close range.
Although they briefly attempted a comeback, the fight was knocked out of Fighters on the hour mark when they were penalized for a handball, Pontsho Sephutho calmly stroking home the resultant spot-kick.
Makungulupeswa will now take their place in the second tier of domestic football; judging from their efforts at the weekend, they have the firepower to thrive there!
For Fighters, a season full of highs ends on a devastating low. The loss means they finish third in the mini-league and miss out on the consolation prize off a play-off g
