'Davids' fancy chances in FA Cup
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday April 25, 2025 08:22
Season 6 of the Orange FA Cup has not featured a big clash and this is mainly due to the elite league teams bowing out of the cup race in the previous round. Record winners, Gaborone United, alongside their cross-town rivals, Township Rollers and the in-form TAFIC were all booted out of the last 32 round of the competition. Half of the 16 Premier League teams remain in the competition, as the other eight are from the lower leagues. Banana skins would be difficult to navigate once again as the round of 32 Goliath versus David contests proved. Taung Young Strikers are having an FA Cup campaign of their lives. The team has sailed the furthest in the competition but face a stern test in Orapa United. Taung Young Strikers, in their first-ever round of 16 appearance, come up against an Ostriches side looking to sail to their sixth FA Cup quarterfinal appearance. 'Lion of Judah' as the minnows are affectionately called, remain in contention for Premier League promotion as they sit seven points from the top with seven games to play in the First Division South. An Orange FA Cup quarterfinal berth would be an icing on the cake as the team enjoys its best season. Led by Thaloba Nthaga, Taung Young Strikers face an Orapa United team that is aware the Orange FA Cup triumph could save their season.
The league is out of the Ostriches’ reach as the team is engulfed in the mid-table battle. The return of Mogomotsi Mpote mid-season was an indication that Orapa are setting their eyes on at least the cup triumph. The coach previously led the team to the FA Cup title and will be eyeing his and the team's second. In another tie, Sua Flamingoes travel to Kasane where Kazungula Young Fighters fancy their chances. Sua are yet to win a major trophy and under the leadership of trophy-laden, Nikola Kavazovic, the team will be licking their lips at the sight of their minnow opponents. The Serbian tactician has turned the team's season around as Sua are in the Premier League title race. Kazungula Young Strikers would be upbeat ahead of the tie as they are miles behind in the CHORFA Division One top spot. The team was knocked out by Rollers at the same venue and same stage of the competition in 2024 and would be looking for a better showing against Orapa United. Another contest pits Matebele against First Division North opponents, BR Highladers. Matebele FC have never been able to replicate their 2022 Orange FA Cup run when they went all the way to the semi-finals, only to lose to eventual winners, GU. On Saturday, the Eagles are away to Highlanders at the BR Grounds. It sets up an exciting clash as the experience of the well-travelled Irishman, Sean Connor meets the budding coaching expertise of Wame 'Pepe' Mokoke. Jwaneng Galaxy travel to Gantsi where third-tier league side, Blue Stars await at the Kgaphamadi Grounds. At home and with the crowd behind, the minnows will look to cause an upset.
The team is having a topsy-turvy season in the GRFA Division One league and their quest for a promotional spot is dim. The team is yet to concede at home in the cup this season as they won on the round of 48 contest following a penalty away win over Boikago FC. In the next round, the team played to a 0-0 draw against Eleven Angels and went on to win the contest 3-1 via the penalty shootout. Galaxy is amongst a handful of teams gunning for a double this season. They have presented themselves as a second-half team as in the last three league games, they mounted second-half comebacks and will need to be on the front foot against their third-tier league opponents. The defending champions will need to overcome the hard playing surface struggle to sail through to the last eight. VTM FC and Sand Diamonds are having their struggles in their respective leagues ahead of their FA Cup contest on Sunday afternoon. Diamonds take on VTM FC in their own backyard in Hukuntsi. The team is facing relegation from the second-tier league whilst VTM are battling to secure a spot in the top-half of the Premiership. Notwane and Holy Ghost will evoke memories of the clashes in the second-tier league when they meet at the GU Stadium on the same afternoon. Toronto, traditional cup contenders, would want to return their yesteryear reputation whilst a win over GU has surely boosted Holy Ghost to go furthest in the competition. From reaching the final in 2023, tables have turned badly for Security Systems as they are threatened with a drop to the second-tier league.
The team takes on Flamengo Santos who have already dropped from the elite league. Both teams would be aware a FA Cup quarterfinal could turn their season around. The Palapye Stadium hosts a clash of leopards as FC Palapye's The Leopards take on Magosi Maparankwe of Mochudi Centre Chiefs. But the question is; which leopards will earn a quarterfinal FA Cup spot with Pontsho Moloi eyeing his first since his return to Chiefs whilst FC Palapye look for a historic first.