‘We have to beat the good teams’

Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday May 13, 2025 21:24

Connor on Sunday afternoon led the team to a semi-final spot with a 1-0 over Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the Orange FA Cup quarterfinal match played at the National Stadium. Matebele advanced to the semifinal for the second time in the team’s history and would want to take a step further by a securing a cup final berth. From a tough assignment against Chiefs in the last eight, Matebele have now been pitted against reigning champions and tournament favourites, Jwaneng Galaxy in the semifinals. “Is that who we have got in the semifinals? I thought we had a tough game with them last week. If you are going to win the cup, you have to beat good teams. We just have to beat a good one, so we will have to go and do it again,” said Connor reacting to the semifinals draw conducted after the Sunday’s quarterfinal tie.

The Irish gaffer added that his side was the better of the two teams in the quarterfinal as he lauded his troops for sticking to the game plan. He, however, bemoaned the standard of the National Stadium pitch on the afternoon. “We were the better team, I think. We tried to play on the ground. The pitch looked better until you get on it. It was a bit bubbly, but we always tried to play,” said Connor. In his debut season, Connor stands a step away from being the most successful Matebele coach in cup competitions. The team on Sunday afternoon started the game at a lower pace and allowed Chiefs more time on the ball. The minnows, however, showed early signs of keeping it tight at the back and denying Chiefs spaces in the final third. This is until the 36th minute when Dumisane Kubane beat two markers but had his shot saved in the game’s first bright chance. A minute later, Matebele took the lead on the other end when Ronel Manyanga lifted his effort over the goalkeeper to make it 1-0 for his side. The minnows took a 1-0 lead in to the break. From the start of the second half, Chiefs’ final third struggles continued with Matebele happy to keep their opponents at bay while waiting for an opening at the back. Chiefs nearly got an equaliser when substitute, Pako Gaofose headed onto goal post in the 69th minute. In a game of limited goal scoring opportunities, Matebele held on to book a place among the last four.

Chiefs’ head coach, Pontsho Moloi was disappointed with the elimination as the team ends their first season since return to the top flight throphyless. “Yeah, well, you should understand that we are new in the league. So, I think we have done well, to be honest, in terms of where we are in the league and also with the FA Cup here where we went all the way to the quarter-finals. I think we have done well. We have outdone ourselves for a new team in the premiership. So, we are disappointed because we wanted to go through and go further and try to play the final. That is disappointing, but we are content with the work that we have done this season,” said Moloi. Matebele will now take on Galaxy while VTM FC and Security Systems square off in the other semifinal.

The teams:

Chiefs: Ofentse Tauyatswala, Jackson Lesole, Kgosietsile Ernest, Thami Zulu (Dirang Moloi), Brian Tafhi, Keitumetse Samunzala (Resaobaka Thatanyane), Monty Enosa, Ronaldo Fortune (Legend Monyake), Lebopo Moremi, Tefo Mofokeng (Pako Gaofose), Dumisane Kubane

Matebele: Cedric Ramojela, Bernard Kebotseng (Pholoso Mapitse, Utlwanang Ramakgathi, Kefilwe Sekgopi, Thabo Seeleko, Obonye Moswate, Mompati Mbidzo, Moses Shidolo, Ronel Manyanga (Tebogo Mogotsi), Emmanuel Thabe (Alphius Selefho), Boyo Lechaena (Chris Mwamba) Cautions: D. Moloi, Seeleko

Chiefs 0 Matebele 1 (Manyanga 37th)