Galaxy enter Matebele’s hornet nest
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Saturday May 7, 2022 06:00
With eight teams battling for a spot in the last four of the competition starting tomorrow, only one lower division side, Matebele FC remains in the contest. Next on the menu for the Debswana First Division South League side is Jwaneng Galaxy, who face a tricky encounter at the Nest Stadium.
Led by Zimbabwean gaffer, Elias Chinyemba, Matebele joined the rest of the survivors on Wednesday afternoon when they beat TAFIC 3-0 in Gaborone. The match was originally scheduled to take place last weekend but it was cancelled due to a waterlogged SSG Ground. At the time the match was stopped, Matebele were leading 1-0 in the second half.
On Wednesday, goals from Thatayaone Nkwapa, Bonno Mosea and Bernard Kebotseng were enough to send them through to the last eight. Matebele boast some of the most experienced players, including Monageng Thaele and Obonwe Moswate, who have both played for Township Rollers and Extension Gunners before, as well as Khumbulani Madziba who has played for BDF XI and Mogoditshane Fighters. Matebele have already knocked out another Premier League side, Prisons XI in the last 32 rounds. Galaxy have been riding high in the Premier League table since their elimination from the CAF Champions League. With the league title now seemingly out of their way, Galaxy will be hoping to add the FA Cup into their cabinet. They have already won the league and the Mascom Top 8 before.
Striker, Thabang Sesinyi appears to have hit form at the right time together with his strike partner, Wendell Rudath. In other games to be played on Saturday, defending champions, Gaborone United (GU) face Police XI at the National Stadium in what is expected to be an entertaining encounter. The Reds faced lower division sides, Motaung Young Fighters and Calendar Stars in the last two rounds, scoring 10 goals in the process. They are the most successful side in the competition with seven titles.
The Reds’ investment in a quality squad has paid dividends with goals coming from all over the pitch. With Obonwe Maome and Thatayaone Kgamanyane having slowed down after a great start to the season, Thero Setsile and Thatayaone Ramatlapeng have taken over quite well in recent matches. Police XI have been relying much on the goal-scoring boots of Pako Gaofose who is expected to have a fierce battle against GU defence led by Kennedy Amutenya. At Sowa Town Council Stadium, Sua Flamingoes host BDF XI while Extension Gunners take on Security Systems on Sunday at Lobatse Sports Complex.
Systems are still chasing their first silverware in the elite league but proved to be a force to reckon with when they knocked out favourites, Township Rollers in the last 16 rounds. All the matches kick off at 3pm.