GU remain unbeaten
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday November 22, 2021 16:00
The match had to be delayed by 30 minutes and kicked off at 5pm due to rainy weather conditions. Under wet conditions, it took more than 10 minutes for either side to have a sight at goal. In the 11th minute, defender Fortune Thulare found himself in the final third but could not direct his attempt towards the goalposts.
Eight minutes later, Walter Mukanga had a freekick attempt easily saved by Goitseone Phoko. The Reds had their first sight at goal in the 23rd minute with Obonwe Maome's freekick parried away for a corner by Katlego Mbise. GU broke the deadlock in the 37th minute as Thatayaone Kgamanyane tucked in from a close range. It was the attacker's fifth goal in four league outings. The goal breathed some life into the game with Masitaoka looking for an equaliser. However, the Reds held on to take a goal lead into the half time break.
It was yet another slow start in the second half but with the teams level at par in terms of play. Majatlhaga were reduced to a man down as Thulare received his second booking of the match for a late tackle on Msani Thupa on the hour mark. With 10 men, Masitaoka were not to be deterred as they went out looking for an equaliser. In the 70th minute, Patrick Kaunda. from the edge of the penalty area. shot over the bar. Two minutes later on the other end, Thupa missed a sitter from Mpho Kgaswane's cross, unmarked in the box but shot wide. Kgaswane had a go from yet another freekick but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper in the 76th minute. Two minutes later, Alford Velaphi on the right flank tried from just outside the box but his shot went over the bar. The Reds held on to maintain their unbeaten streak in the new campaign. "The red card really spoiled everything.
You see these decision making really spoiled every thing. I think my players were getting unnecessary cards. Anyway I do not have any chance to go and review. But I think we really gave it a fight today," Masitaoka coach, Nelson Olebile said after the match. GU's Pontsho Moloi, however, feels his side is yet to reach the requirement despite having an early lead into the league campaign. "The conditions were not good but they were the same conditions for both teams so no excuses. As a team that always tries to move the ball around, it was a bit tricky today but we have shown we are a team that can be versatile. It is too early but so far so good. We cannot be happy and we cannot to be overzealous too, but we are always going to ask for more," he said.
The Teams:
GU: Goitseone Phoko, Alford Velaphi, Godwin Bonsu (Lesego Galenamotlhale), Tshepo Maikano, Mothusi Johnson, Lebogang Ditsele, Alphonse Modisaotsile, Mpho Kgaswane (Karabo Phiri), Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Obonwe Maome (Takunda Sadiki), Keaketswe Moloi (Msani Thupa)
Masitaoka: Katlego Mbise, Aobakwe Radikolana, Oabile Makopo, Fortune Thulane, Basiamisi Sebapalo, Tiro Pheresi (Keabetswe Obonetse), Walter Mukanga, Kakanyo Kethubile, Patrick Kaunda, Tapiwa Sepatela (Gaamangwe Sethibe), Ototeng Dintwa (Emmanuel Ditodi) Cautions: Bonsu, Thulare, Kaunda, Makopo Dismissal: Thulare
GU 1 (Kgamanyane 37th) Masitaoka 0