Following their crowning as Nhabe regional league champions, Etsha Morning Stars now aim to win the upcoming promotional play-offs slatted for Kasane and gain promotion to the Debswana First Division North league next season.
Coach Tshepiso Samende’s boys qualified for the play-offs after regional ones which were held in Maun last weekend. The two day games pitted Mohembo United from Shakawe, Etsha Morning Stars from Gumare and Western Dynamites from Maun Stream against each other.
The club qualified after winning against Western Dynamites 3-1 on Sunday morning following their 3 all draw against Mohembo United on Saturday afternoon. The club was set for a win as it brought good quality young players, tall strikers and good defense that played a good transitional football.
In their last match, most of the players proved to be good on the ball especially jersey number 6, 8 and 10 who made Dynamites lose control of their ball possession. Every time Morning Stars attacked, Dynamites would find themselves sitting at the back for the longest time in attempt to defend. They controlled the match from the first whistle until the end with good counter attacks and ball possession.
On Saturday morning Western Dynamites played to a 3 all draw against Mohembo United and the latter in the afternoon played to another 3 all draw against Etsha Morning Stars. The two games saw Mohembo United ending the day with 2 points while Etsha Mornings Stars and Dynamites garnered a point each.
The Sunday game was a deciding one for all the teams and Etsha Morning Stars took all the three points to win a goal medal and a trophy while Mohembo United came second winning silver and Dynamites settled for bronze medal.
Meanwhile Etsha Morning Stars Coach, Tshepiso Samende has applauded his technical staff and players for the job well done and he has since promised a win in Kasane to subsequently secure a sport in the Debswana First Division North League next season. The coach commended the players for having followed their game plan.
He noted that the experience they got last season when they were beaten by Maun Heroes were corrected and they had to put more effort to make sure they win. Even though he decried lack of financial support to make sure the boys are well taken care of in terms of feeding and transportation, Samende said they will train intensively before leaving for Kasane.
Meanwhile Nhabe Regional Football Association Vice Chairperson, Ephraim Kgwarae has promised to rally behind the Etsha Morning Stars. The association has also pledged to give the team support, both technical and in soliciting funds. He pleaded with Ngamiland business community to rally behind the team and support it financially for them to do well in the play-offs.
Meanwhile has also assured that they are going to make sure the fair play rule is adhered to in the match so the team is not intimidated by referees and officials. Kgwarae has claimed lack of fair play at the promotional play-offs when hosted at the Northern part especially in Francistown.
“Most of the officials in the play-offs normally intimidate teams from Nhabe so that they may lose so as to avoid for their teams to travel long distance to Maun,” the Vice Chairperson complained.
