Orange FA Cup hits final stride
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday December 4, 2021 06:00
The National Stadium will host the semifinal matches over the weekend in a doubleheader. In the first match scheduled to kick off at 3.45pm, Gaborone United (GU) will take on Jwaneng Galaxy in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The Reds come into the fixture with revenge on their minds after they were knocked out by Galaxy in last season's Mascom Top 8 quarterfinal match through a penalty shootout. The Reds have been in good form since the start of the season before losing their first match to BDF XI on Tuesday.
The defeat, however, may not worry GU much who have scored 13 goals in seven games across all competitions whilst conceding just two. In their midweek league defeat, GU may have had the FA Cup semifinal in their mind as they rested some key players including Kekaetswe ‘Mara’ Moloi. The team will be sweating over the fitness of talisman’ Thatayaone Kgamanyane who sat out the midweek game due to an injury. The attacker is on five goals this season. Galaxy on the other side have proven they are a threat in cup games this season. The team sailed into the CAF Champions League group stages, and notably at the expense of continental giants Simba SC.
On local soil, the team has dished inconsistent performances but their cup run has been top-notch. Galaxy is among the highest-scoring teams in the competition. In the quarterfinal tie, they scored four against Notwane. Attackers Thabang Sesinyi, Wendell Rudath and Lucky Mokoena are enjoying a good run of form and the Reds’ defence should be worried. The signing of illustrious midfielder, Mothusi Cooper will add extra confidence for the team ahead of the clash. Later on, Township Rollers and Masitaoka are in a typical ‘Goliath versus David’ tie. Rollers are the only team to remain unbeaten this season. The team has done well in seven games. Boasting a wealth in the squad, as head coach Hasaan Oktay has stuck to rotating his squad. It is almost a different team every match day but the results have remained positive.
Popa have shown what a giant can do to a minnow in a 5-0 win over Mahalapye Railway Highlanders in the quarterfinals. The team is yet to concede in season two of the FA Cup. Nelson Olebile’s troops are aware of the threat and will be hoping that like in the biblical story, David will prevail over Goliath. Experienced talents are abundant at the Molepolole-based side, as Patrick Kaunda leads the attack. The once league top goalscorer is hoping to inspire the team’s charges for a cup final spot. It will be the first ever meeting between the two teams in an 8.30pm kick-off and Majatlhaga will be eyeing to write their name in the history books.