Orange FA Cup breathes to life
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday November 12, 2021 16:00
The second season of the tournament could not be completed as the 2019-2020 period was cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020. At the time, three rounds and seven matches remained to the P700,000 prize money. The environment is now suitable and the Orange FA Cup will resume from the quarterfinal stage this evening.
Jwaneng Galaxy welcome fellow Premier League side, Notwane at the Lobatse Sports Complex for the 8pm kick-off. This is the first ever meeting between the two teams in a cup competition. The Toronto Boys will go into the tie with a point to prove. In the three encounters between the pair, Sechaba has lost two and managed to play for a draw just once. Notwane’s current league form leaves a lot to be desired. The team is winless in two games and has only found the back of the net once while conceding six. Galaxy, on the other hand, has been one of the best-prepared teams having got an early pre-season due to their participation in the CAF Champions League. The team has won three, lost one and played to a draw once.
Tomorrow afternoon, second-tier side, Calendar Stars host Masitaoka at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium. Majatlhaga will feel more confident going into the tie. The Molepolole-based side has had a feel of football better than their opponents who have been competitively inactive since March 2020. The away side has seasoned campaigners like Patrick Kaunda and Fortunate Thulare. Stars, on the other hand, will be looking to continue with the fairy-tale journey. The tournament historically produced ‘giant killers’ and Stars will be hoping to continue their killing spree all the way to the final.
Still on Saturday afternoon, Gaborone United (GU) will lock horns with Police XI at the Royal Aria Stadium. The tie promises to produce fireworks due to the two teams contrasting style of play. Under Maitumelo ‘Junior’ Letlamoreng, the Jungle Kings have proved to be a hard nut to crack. The team is not blessed with vast attacking talents but their tactical discipline has outwitted opponents. The Reds, on the other hand, are in a menacing mood in front of goals. With eight goals in three games thus far, Moyagoleele have sent warning signals to their opponents. Both Saturday's games will kick off at 3.30pm.
Township Rollers and Mahalapye Railway Highlanders will conclude the quarterfinals stage at Royal Aria Stadium at 3.30pm on Sunday. It looks like a Goliath vs David encounter. Popa are unbeaten since the start of the season while Mag Stimela are winless. Despite their good form, the Blues are yet to catch up to their speed as Highlanders are looking to turn things around. Rollers have better cup experience with a record of six FA Cup titles compared to none for their weekend’s opponents. It has, however, never been one-way traffic in the fixture as Highlanders have beat Popa twice in nine meetings. Botswana Television will broadcast all the games, except for the Stars and Masitaoka fixture.