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GAMONONYANE: VTM FC have once more proved that they mean business as a club after securing a promotion to the Botswana Premier League (BPL) on Saturday. They beat Chadibe FC 6-5 on penalty shootout during the promotional play-off to fill the remaining slot in the elite league. VTM went into Saturday’s second leg trailing after losing 1-0 to the visiting team in the first leg. They went onto to win 2-1 in the second leg to take the match into penalty shootout where they prevailed.

Just the previous season, VTM saw themselves battling for a spot in the Debswana First Division South League against UB Hawks, a game in which they emerged as champions. And now a season later, they did it once again in the promotional playoffs and earned themselves a place in the topflight football.

It was not surprising that head coach, Leutlwetse Tshireletso felt like a man on top of the world after leading his side to promotion. “I am a happy man. Congratulations to VTM football club, congratulations to everyone, management, the team, media guys. I am so proud of what happened. I am a happy coach,” Tshireletso said. He said starting his two senior players, Sfiso Myeni and Senatla Molefe on the bench was a tactical decision. “We wanted intensity in the first half hence we put the young boys in the first half. But I knew when Myeni and Molefe came on in the second half, they would change the game for us. We always have plan A and plan B,” he said. Tshireletso sent out strong message to the 15 teams in the BPL. “Our plan in the first season in Premier League will be to try and secure our status in the league. There are tried and tested teams in the Premiere League but we will give them a go by assembling a good team,” Tshireletso explained. The game kick-started on high tempo with VTM probing for an early goal. VTM took advantage of the home ground with the VTM Arena fully packed and almost all the supporters were rooting for them. On the 21st minute, VTM had a chance to break the deadlock courtesy of a free-kick on the edge of the box but Onkgolotse Motlhabankwe wasted the great chance.

Thato Mogorosi for VTM also tried his luck at goal with a powerful long-range shot, which unfortunately for him went narrowly wide.

Four minutes later, Chadibe also had a chance when Moses Nyathi easily cut inside the box but was let down by the final third decision. With five minutes to half time break, Aaron Sautu lost his marker, Rooi Mahumatsa and hit a snapshot at Victor Mothakaja who made a crucial save.

Immediately after being brought in, Senatla

Molefe put VTM in front. He showed brilliance inside the box by easily composing himself and made a clean finish to beat the goalkeeper. On the 78th minute, Emang Tlhasenyana put in an exquisite cross for Molefe inside the box but the latter completely missed the ball which could have easily gone in.

Three minutes later, another substitute, Myeni put in a teasing cross with the outside of his boot to set up Bogosi Mfila who made no mistake inside the box. However, two minutes before the end of the match, Mothakaja failed to catch the ball from

a corner and put it back into play for the oncoming Patrick Setumbeko who easily tapped in to take his side straight to penalties. VTM emerged as champions from the penalties gamble.

The teams:

VTM: Victor Mothakaja, Bakani Madaiza, Keabetswe Lucas, Rooi Mahumatsa, Bogosi Mfila, Kennedy Taukobong, Onkgolotse Motlhabankwe, Thato Mogorosi, Kabelo Thomba (Senatla Molefe), Ernest Tawazadza (Sfiso Myeni), Lucky Mokoena.

Chadibe: Michael James, Rebaone Joseph, Kelesego Gabaakelwe, Akanyang Keepile, Donald Chiringa, Samuel Phiri, Cyprian Masule, Dumiliso Nkomeni (Patrick Setumbeko), Aaron Sautu, Atholang Jeremane (Modise Kenewang), Moses Nyathi.