Moloi bemoans 'poor' decision by referee
Larona Makhaiza | Monday February 20, 2023 16:00
When the referee, Moemedi Tlhabologang blew the final whistle to signal the end of the match, GU’s technical team rushed to him and tried to put up a fight with him but the security personnel acted swiftly to protect him from the rage. “What happened with the first goal, you saw what happened there. Mark was fouled there; just deliberately somebody pulling him like that and we never win any match when this guy is the referee,” Moloi said in rage. However aside from the dissension at full time the Alarm Boys and the Money Machine played a beautiful game on Saturday filled with end-to-end action.
On the ninth minute, Tawana Mbakile of Security Systems had a clear-cut chance to break the deadlock, but Lebogang Ditsele was there to put a stop to him as he made a brave tackle inside the box to win the ball. On the 18th minute Quinton Mokoka nearly scored a beautiful free kick on the edge of the box but GU goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko showed why he is Botswana’s number one with his beautiful reflexes as he parried the ball away to deny Systems. GU were the first to find the back of the net through substitute, Gape Thibedi who replaced Mpho Kgaswane. GU broke on counter attack and Systems' defence was caught napping as Thibedi pulled out a long range shot from outside the box to break the deadlock with his first touch of the game.
It took Systems only two minutes to get an equaliser when Kenanao Kgetholetsile tapped in after being set up beautifully by Takunda Sadiki with a back heel. Just on the brink of halftime, the Alarm boys got their second goal courtesy of Thato Ogopotse who scored from a follow up shot after Phoko stumbled on Mokoka's powerful freekick. In the second half, it was all GU probing for the equalising goal and Systems sitting back absorbing the pressure. GU missed on the chance to bring the scores back on level terms when Mwampole Masule denied them from close range. After countless attacks probing for an equaliser, Thatayaone Kgamanyane finally found the equalising goal on the 64th minute. Kgamanyane connected well with a free-kick and scored a powerful header to bring his side back on level terms.
The teams: Security Systems: Mwampole Masule, Aobakwe Radikolana, Quinton Mokoka, Tebogo Kopelang, Bophelo Macheng, Thato Ogopotse, Takunda Sadiki (Letlhogonolo Chenjela), Tawana Mbakile (Poloko Nkalolang), Kenanao Kgetholetsile, Morris Ruzivo, Odirile Lekoba (Bokang Rathipana)
Gaborone United: Goitseone Phoko, Mothusi Johnson, Alford Velaphi, Kennedy Amutenya, Tshepo Maikano (Obonwe Maome), Karabo Phiri, Lebogang Ditsele, Mpho Kgaswane (Gape Thibedi), John Makwata, Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Thero Setsile
Security Systems 2 (Kgetholetsile 25th, Ogopotse 45th) Gaborone United 2 Thibedi 23rd, Kgamanyane 64th)