Holy Ghost’s Premier League dream continues

Holy Ghost (Dikganetso 51st, Amponsah 56th)

Santos

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MMOPANE: Holy Ghost’s head coach, Oupa Kowa has urged his side to dream of playing in the elite league as they remain in pole position to claim an automatic promotion. They maintained their position at the top of the Debswana First Division South (DFDS) league standings following a 3-0 win over Uniao Flamengo Santos in a match played here at the Holy Ghost Park on Saturday afternoon. Kowa’s side remains two points ahead of the Black Forest, who won their tie against Tlokweng United. Mochudi Centre Chiefs on the other hand has slipped four points adrift of Holy Ghost after playing to a 0-0 draw against Matebejana.

Speaking to Sport Monitor, Kowa admitted the pressure of staying at the top as his side has become a common target for the league rivals.

He, however, dared the Holy Ghost faithful to dream with just seven games remaining. “I think everybody dreams to get the realisation of the dream. When I got here I said the quality we got here is enough to have us playing in the Premier League. The dream as we get closer to the end of the league, the dream becomes more and more realistic so as for now what I can say the dream must keep going,” Kowa said.

It looked like a rather evenly contested tie from the first whistle with neither creating clear cut goal chances in the first 10 minutes. From then the visitors showed some urgency in their attack as the opposition goalkeeper was called into action on the 13th minute from a free kick attempt. Six minutes later, Lemogang Kabo put in a teasing cross into the box only to be missed by Bosa Mokgweeetsi who went down in the box. The match referee, however, ignored penalty appeals from Santos.

The visitors came close once again on the 28th minute but Moagi Noge from inside the box skied his effort. On the half hour mark, Holy Ghost’s Teddy Gunda half volleyed off the posts with the team’s first real chance at goal. Two minutes later, on the other end Noge forced the keeper into a brilliant save from a one-on-one situation. Ishmael Amponsah on the break laid a pass to Wame Kepalepile but the latter shot wide. It was a level at 0-0 at the break.

Six minutes from the break, Mpho Dikganetso gave his side the lead with a brilliantly taken free kick, beating the keeper to the top corner. Three minutes later, Kgomotso Kgopegang skied his free-kick attempt as the host went searching for a cushion goal. It came on the 56th minute as Amponsah’s attempt was deflected into net as the host went up 2-0. Santos tried to stage a comeback. However, their efforts were thwarted by the opposition’s defense. With three minutes remaining, Amponsah hit the upright with a shot from outside the box. The result leaves Santos teasing around the relegation places at the ninth spot.

The teams:

Holy Ghost: Onkamogetse Ditebelo, Wame Kepalebile, Kenosi Semako, Kgomotso Kgopegang, Mpho Dikganetso, Ishmael Amponsah, Teddy Gunda (Ofentse Chitutu), Thabang Khuduga (Basimanebotlhe Kamogelo), Mpho Petros, Atamelang Mangadi, Patrick Dikgang

Santos: One Lepetu, Modise Sifo, Mosimanegape Pelaelo, Lemogang Kabo (Bushe Gunda), Tshepo Mbulawa, Ronald Setshego, Goitsemodimo Zoko, Moagi Noge (Tumelo Sentle), Ofentse Tlhalosang, Onalethata Khuta (Thabang Pilane), Bosa Mokgweetsi

Cautions: Kgopegang, Chitutu, Kgopegang, Mokgweetsi