Fixture congestion worries Mpatane
Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday April 9, 2025 06:00
Galaxy maintained their FNB Premiership unbeaten record to 23 games with a 2-1 win over Morupule Wanderers in a closely contested tie played at the Palapye Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Thero Setsile's second half brace ensured that Galaxy come from a goal behind to claim one over the league's big spoilers. The win saw Galaxy retain the second spot and level on 45 points with three other title contenders. Two more teams are also actively in the race as they are just three points behind the four-joint log leaders. Mpatane has reiterated that his side should not drop points and be left behind in the title race. He further credited this season’s exciting title race as good for local football and could positively impact the Zebras ahead of the 2025 AFCON finals in December.
With seven games to play for the honours, Mpatane has, however, raised concerns that his team is to play three of those in a seven-day period from tomorrow. “I think this month of April is the most important because we are playing four games in a very short period of time. We are playing on Wednesday, we are here today and Wednesday we are hosting (Flamengo) Santos. On Saturday, we are hosting Gunners and (next) Wednesday we are going to Selebi-Phikwe. So this is four games in like nine days, so this is an important month. We just want to focus on this upcoming April (matches) and see how it goes,” said Mpatane. His side had thought they had taken the lead on the 24th minute on Saturday but Tlamelo Kolagano’s goal was ruled offside. Three minutes later, Goitseone Phoko looked beaten but with his legs saved Maungo Tsimele’s lowly taken free-kick. The hosts eventually took the lead on the 31st minute after Galaxy lost possession in the middle of the park. The ball fell kindly for Kitso Mpuisang and from outside the box, he lobbed his effort over Phoko to the top corner to get one over his former side. The goal separated the two teams at the halftime break. But it only took Galaxy some seconds into the second half to go level.
Setsile sent a rocket from afar and beat the goalkeeper to the top corner to make 1-1 for the champions. The forward doubled his tally on the 55th minute as he tapped in Thabang Sesinyi’s low cross from close range to give Galaxy the lead with his 13th of the season. The home side tried searching for an equaliser but could not break the Galaxy’s defence. The teams: Morupule: Thabo Masule, Kealeboga Bonang (Katlego Ralegoreng), Maungo Tsimele (Thato Mosweunyana), Lawrence Radikgageng, Tshepang Boithatelo, Maano Ditshupo (Obonwe Maome), Kealeboga Oitsile (Bruce Gurure), Bonang Theetso (Julius Linkontsane), Baboloki Makhura, Kitso Mpuisang, Kelvin Ndebele Galaxy: Goitseone Phoko, Moagi Sechele, Thabo Leinanyane, Tebogo Kopelang, Tlamelo Kolagano, Nqobizitha Masuku, Dynamo Fredericks, Gilbert Baruti, Thero Setsile, Thabang Sesinyi (Thabiso Bante), Neo Mokhachane (Mxolisi Mkhonto) Cautions: Masule, Leinanyane, Kopelang
Morupule 1 (Mpuisang 31st) Galaxy 2 (Setsile 46th, 55th)