Extension Gunners seeks redemption
Lobatse will be the battleground this weekend as Extension Gunners look to revive their fortunes in a critical match against Chadibe North FC. The once-prominent team has been lingering in the danger zone for far too long, and they’ve emphasized the importance of securing a victory to climb two steps away from the relegation threat. With renewed determination and the support of their loyal fans, the Gunners are gearing up for a high-stakes encounter that could be a turning point in their FNB Premiership campaign.
Extension Gunners have recently regained their confidence after announcing a new investor, Chief Ally Kgomongwe, who has promised to take the team to new heights. Following his arrival, the Gunners drew 0-0 with Mochudi Centre Chiefs and, just last week, recorded another 0-0 draw against Magosi in the second leg of the FNB Premiership. Extension Gunners did not start the league well and have been in the red zone for far too long. However, after their two draws against Magosi, they have moved out of the relegation zone and are now sitting in 13th place in the league standings.
Their investor has urged the team to play with the goal of surviving relegation.
Guna Guna, as they are affectionately known, head into this game after securing a draw against Centre Chiefs, which the coach described as a morale boost for the players. After playing 16 FNB Premiership games, the Gunners currently find themselves in 13th position, dangerously close to the relegation zone, with 13 points. A win against Chadibe would see them register 16 points and potentially move up to 11th place, depending on how other teams perform. However, the match against Chadibe is expected to be challenging, as Chadibe is also fighting to escape the relegation zone.
Gunners' head coach, Proper Monnawanoka, stated that their primary aim for the weekend is to avoid dropping points against Chadibe FC. He mentioned that the team has improved significantly but acknowledged the need for a reliable finisher, as one of their main weaknesses has been failing to convert the chances they create. Monnawanoka expressed optimism about their upcoming game against Chadibe FC, emphasizing that their objective is clear, to secure a win.
'The transfer window is still open, and we are currently working on strengthening our team. We have realized that we need a finisher, and we are in talks with a potential international striker as well as
other players, including Obonwe Maome, who is now a free agent. Additionally, we are considering some young players who we believe can help us stay in the league. There will also be a new head coach who will take over the team, and I will remain part of the technical team, working collaboratively to ensure we achieve better results,' he said.
Kabelo Kuti, the goalkeeper of Extension Gunners, who managed a clean sheet against Mochudi Centre Chiefs over the weekend, stated that the position they are currently in is not ideal for a team that just came back to the Premier League. He explained that they have been instructed to avoid relegation, and they are determined to achieve exactly that. Kuti noted that the current mood in the camp is much improved, and against Chadibe, they aim to secure a win to ensure they are moving in the right direction as a team.
'I'm happy that our overall play and mentality have changed. We are now focused on achieving better results. All we can say for now is that we are not going to be relegated, and we are also targeting a position higher than just avoiding relegation,' he said.