Nico United Sports Club has claimed victory in a thrilling preseason tournament, overcoming Gunners of Khwai in the final match of a tournament that also included Sankoyo Bush Bucks, Shorobe Wild Dogs, and was played in Maun over the weekend
The tournament, held as part of preseason preparations, provided teams with a platform to test their readiness ahead of the upcoming season. Nico United’s coach, Observer Pelokgosi, emphasised the importance of the event in their journey towards building a competitive squad.
“With this tournament, we wanted to gauge our level of preparedness for the coming season,” said Pelokgosi. “We started preparations over three weeks ago, and now our players are priming, getting ready for the challenges ahead.”
Each team showed eagerness to compete, setting a fierce tone early on. In the first matchup, which took place in the morning, Sankoyo Bush Bucks faced Gunners of Khwai. Unfortunately, Ngurungu fell short and were eliminated from the competition. Later in the day, Nico United took on Shorobe Wild Dogs – though with a rocky start in the first half, the former picked up momentum in the second half, securing their place in the final.
The highlight of the tournament came in the final match between Nico United and Gunners of Khwai. Nico United, donned in their signature green kit, dominated the match against the yellow-clad Gunners of Khwai.
From the onset, Nico United put pressure on their opponents, relentlessly attacking the goalposts. Their efforts paid off, as they netted two crucial goals, securing a 2-0 victory. The crowd erupted with excitement as they witnessed Nico United’s strong display, providing a taste of what the upcoming season may hold.
Reflecting on the match, Pelokgosi stated, “We came here with a clear structure in mind, focusing on what we can build ahead of the season start. Many of the players who featured today are younger, and this tournament gave us a glimpse of their potential.”
However, the road to this victory wasn’t without its challenges. According to the coach, the team faced some hurdles during preseason preparations, as players returned from their offseason break in rusty condition. Despite this, the team worked diligently over the past five weeks to regain their form.
Pelokgosi remains optimistic about the season ahead. “What I can promise is that we won’t just be participating this season; we will be competing. Our goal is to reach positions 9 or 8 as an improvement from where we started,” he said. “I would also like to extend our gratitude to Wilderness Safaris, our sponsor, for staying with us and supporting our efforts to develop a team capable of achieving great things in the near future.”
Nico United’s performance this weekend has set the stage for an exciting season, and fans can expect to see a revitalized team eager to prove their worth on the field.
