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‘We will not Panic!’

Kitso Ramono
TOUGH GOING: Angels are yet to find a route to goal this season

Angels remain upbeat despite shaky start

Despite a tough start to life in the big league, where back-to-back defeats have left them second bottom of the log, Eleven Angels Coach, Seemo Mpatane says the club will not panic.

The newly promoted Francistown side are pointless and goalless after their opening two matches: a 1-0 loss at home to Morupule Wanderers preceding a 2-0 defeat in Lobatse against Extension Gunners at the weekend.

However, speaking to Voice Sport on Wednesday, Mpatane insisted the mood in camp was relaxed and morale high.

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“I assure you there are no panic buttons. There’s a lot of optimism and hope around because we’ve totally played well in our two matches, especially away at Gunners,” declared the 31-year-old gaffer.

Although they have drawn blanks twice now, including a missed penalty against Gunners, Mpatane is confident the goals will come.

'We will not Panic!'
REMAINING CALM: Mpatane

“We’re creating chances but not taking them, and I don’t want to pressurize the boys. The fact that we are getting in behind teams and creating opportunities to score means we will get our goals,” maintained the Lekgamu la Bananyana boss, who challenged his players to show more composure in front of the posts.

On their way to promotion last season, Angels managed 32 goals in 22 matches to finish second and qualify for the play-offs, where they famously put five past Mochudi Centre Chiefs in a memorable day in Ghetto.

'We will not Panic!'
PUSHING: Angels on the attack

Calling on the team’s fans, who are famous for supporting their team with boisterous enthusiasm, to back the boys, the young coach added, “I urge our supporters to be patient with us as we take baby steps in the right direction.”

When reflecting on the step-up to the elite division and the difference between the two leagues, a calm and collected Mpatane noted teams in the top flight were more physical and more clinical in front of goal.

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“In the PL, teams can create one chance, score and not do anything else for the whole game. It’s a game of moments because they are experienced teams. They are also powerful in set plays because most of these teams play with really big boys and we have to counter that,” he said.

Angels’ Premier League adventure continues on Sunday, when they host a Masitaoko side fresh from a 1-0 triumph over Security Systems.

Promising the Molepolole outfit, who are now in their second season in the top flight, an uncomfortable afternoon in Ghetto, the Coach said simply, “We are home; we should have a plan to unsettle the visitors.”

Apart from winger, Desmond Mtokufa, whose nursing what Mpatane described as ‘a complicated situation’ with his ankle, and Zimbabwean forward Godknows Mutina, whose waiting on his permits, Angels are at full strength for the game.

“We’re hoping he’ll (Mtokufa) be okay to play at least 20 minutes. Otherwise everyone else is in good health and available for selection,” said Mpatane, who remains supremely confident his young starlets will get their season back on track when they line-up at the Old Stadium at 4 o’clock on Sunday afternoon.

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