GU remain league hopeful in title race
Larona Makhaiza | Monday April 17, 2023 16:00
The Reds went home 2-0 winners, the same score line they registered against the Molepolole-based side in the first round of the campaign. Interestingly, just like in the first round encounter played in December last year, one of GU's goals came courtesy of a Masitaoka player who was unlucky to score against his side trying to defend an attack.
GU's victory kept them in the race for the title and they remain five points behind log leaders, Jwaneng Galaxy who also registered a 2-0 win over Mogoditshane Fighters on Saturday. Head coach, Pontsho Moloi still remains hopeful that they will catch up with log leaders. “As for the race for the league title, we can only play our games and that is all we can do.
I told the boys so. We just need to try and get maximum results and whatever happens with the other team does not concern us,” Moloi said. Giving his view on completing the double over Masitaoka, Moloi said his side played a very good game. “A very controlled game from us honestly, a game that was very exciting, two teams that came here to play that were honest in how they play.
We did what had to be done which was to score our goals and our performance was far much better than our midweek game,” said Moloi with a smile. Meanwhile, the two teams had a slow start to the game with no clear cut chances for either side in the first 10 minutes. However, Masitaoka came close in the 12th minute when Mothusi Johnson of GU missed a tackle which saw Lethabo Ogotseng face Goitseone Phoko on a one-on-one situation but the former shot over the bar.
On the 21st minute, Phoko failed to catch what appeared like an easy ball but Masitaoka striker, Ambrosius Amseb failed to capitalise on the loose ball. With Masitaoka’s defence proving to be a hard nut to crack, GU resorted to hitting long range shots with Onkabetse Makgantai being the first to try his luck but his effort went over the bar. On the 28th minute, Thero Setsile also attempted with a long range shot which went over the bar. It was only on the 38th minute that GU drew first blood.
Captain Mpho Kgaswane delivered a beautiful ball from the corner kick into the box that resulted in Ogotseng put it inside his own net. In the second half, Masitaoka went all out looking for an equaliser but their decision making in the final third let them down on numerous occasions. On the 54th minute, Makgantai missed on a great opportunity to put his side 2-0 up as he was easily dispossessed in the box. GU shattered Masitaoka's hopes of coming back into the game with Setsile putting his name on the score sheet on the 82nd minute. GU broke on a count attack with Kgaswane running across the field with ball on his feet.
He then delivered a pass to Setsile to easily tap in and put his side 2-0 up.
The teams: Gaborone United: Goitseone Phoko, Mothusi Johnson, Alford Velaphi, Thobo Seeleko, Tshepo Maikano, Lebogang Ditsele (Omphile Ramoagi), Duncan Otieno, Mothusi Cooper, Onkabetse Makgantai (Karabo Phiri), Mpho Kgaswane (John Makwata), Thero Setsile Masitaoka: Thabo Motswagole, Tapiwa Sepatela, Ivan Kamberipa, Obusiditswe Gabadise, Thabang Khuduga, Marius Kotze (Itumeleng Salani), Olebogeng Ramotse, Monty Enosa, Ambrosius Amseb, Lethabo Ogotseng (Moabi Phuthego), Brine Mankaunkau (Bakang Tsholang)
Gaborone United 2 (Ogotseng (og) 38th, Setsile 82nd Masitaoka 0