Red Roses win South Block with ease
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday May 27, 2025 14:51
GU over the weekend sailed into the national finals of the championship after winning South Block playoffs. Red Roses had begun their quest with a 2-0 win over Jwaneng Galaxy in the opening day of the South Block playoffs on Friday evening.
They increased their advantage through a 3-1 win over BDF XI on the second day. GU on Sunday morning wrapped it up with a resounding 5-0 win over Royal Fighters on the final day of the playoffs. The Red Roses opened the scores on the 22nd minute after a relatively slower start from the team. Jessica Maponga found herself at the end of a through ball from Golebaone Selebatso and she poked to the far bottom corner to give GU the lead. Maponga within a minute to half time saw her long range effort spilled back in to play by the goalkeeper and Gonayamodimo Macha was quick to bury the rebound making it 2-0 for GU at the halftime break.
Maponga bagged her brace with seven minutes into the second half. The forward met a pin point cross from Palesa Mokopakgosi and slotted GU’s third of the day. It was 4-0 on the 66th minute when Maponga scored her third for the day from just inside the box. From the bench, Obonetse Rathari put the final nail with a well taken effort from outside the box to make it 5-0 for the reigning champions.
“There is nothing to fix, It's just to improve our tactical approach. Remember, teams come in differently and we need to adjust. We play a passing game and we may find that a team would come and park the bus, then pass and kick the ball forward. If you recall, Galaxy didn't attack as much, they were just playing a medium block and we needed to adjust and slow it down,” said Monene.
He added he was impressed with the fringe players on the afternoon and feels his side will be ready to defend the national title.
The teams:
Fighters: Lesego Ngwato (Same Setlhare), Wendy Moatshe, Phatsimo Bose, Sebaga Matlho, Pearl Pilane, Masa Ntlhe, Khumoetsile Jautse, Khumo Jautse, Lefika Motshegwe (Onneile Sefakwe), Koketso Mogapaesi, Lebogang Manowe (Lame Rampete)
GU: Kefilwe Tafa (Pretty Lefatshe), Palesa Mokopakgosi, Tshepiso Makgorwe, Gonayamodimo Macha, Thando Boitshepo, Botlhe Bogosi, Boitshepo Mpone (Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse), Masa Keagakwa, Jessica Maponga (Obonetse Rathari), Golebaone Selebatso (Lesego Radikanyo), Amogelang Sebotho
Fighters 0 GU (Maponga 22nd, 52nd , 66th, Macha 44th, Rathari 90th)