'Mara' strikes Down Jungle Kings

Kabelo Boranabi | Monday November 15, 2021 16:00

The Reds beat Police Xi 1-0 on Saturday in a hard fought quarterfinal match played at the Royal Aria Stadium. The two teams entered the cup tie with unbeaten records from the the league games.

However, they did not produce the best football on the afternoon and the scorching conditions may have played a part. It was a steady start from both sides with limited chances at goal on both ends. The Reds, however, looked the more threatening side while the Jungle Kings looked to sniff on an opening on a counter move.

Thatayaone Kgamanyane had his shot at goal just inside the first 20 minutes but it could not trouble the Police XI goalkeeper. GU eventually got their goal in the 29th minute. Full back, Alford Velaphi put in a telling cross and it was met by Moloi with a brilliant header to give GU the lead. Obonwe Maome came close to double the Reds' lead but could only direct his shot against the cross bar on the 39th minute. On the brink of the halftime break, Kgamanyane saw his shot go over the crossbar after a enterprising move by the Reds. GU took a goal lead to the break. Police XI looked a rejuvenated side in the early stages of the second half.

Half time substitute, Elias Nyambi nearly made an impact six minutes into the second half but his header went just off the post. Like in the first half, the second half did not have many chances at goal.

However, from the bench Takunda Sadiki had two chances to double his side's lead. His initial effort was parried back into play by the goalkeeper while he shot over the bar on the second effort. Lesego Bosekeng pulled a brilliant save to deny Kgamanyane on the 79th minute. The Reds held on to a goal to advance to semifinals of the FA Cup. "It was a very bad first half. We conceded a stupid goal on the blind from a square pass. In the second half we came back strongly because we were a goal down. We needed to rush things to get the equaliser.

We wanted to contain them for the first 45 minutes then put in attacking players later. They scored early and forced us to attack; we could not sit back," Police Xi's coach Maitumelo 'Junior' Letlamoreng said. GU's Innocent Morapedi was happy to progress in the tournament but was not entirely happy with his side's performance. "It is very difficult to shift from league to Cup games. Police XI gave us a run for our money. They have a good squad and it showed today. But fortunately we managed to get that goal and we go through," he said. The teams:

GU: Goitseone Phoko, Velaphi, Thato Kebue, Tshepo Maikano, Mothusi Johnson, Lebogang Ditsele, Karabo Phiri (Alphonse Modisaotsile), Mpho Kgaswane (Thatayaone Ramatlapeng), Kgamanyane, Moloi (Sadiki), Maome (Lesego Galenamotlhale)

Police XI: Bosekeng, Botshelo Mangena, Letsweletse Leririma, Tonderai Nyakunba, Chicco Molefe, Joseph Joseph (Nyambi), Letlhogonolo Senwelo (Larona Modisaemang), Ogomoditse Sitang, Betsho Pius, Hendrick Moyo, Moemedi Moatlhaping

GU 1 (Moloi 29th) Police 0