Mabote, Rebatenne win Top 8 super singles

Kabelo Boranabi | Monday April 27, 2015 16:14

Rebatenne was trailing by 2-0 after the first two sets, but produced a good performance to beat Matshidiso Osi of Smash Maniacs 4-3.  Osi appeared like she had wrapped up the match after two sets but committed too many mistakes in the third and fourth sets, letting her opponent to capitalise.  Osi had advanced to the finals after beating Maniac’s teammate Namibo Mbulawa in the semifinals while Rebatenne overcame Boitshwarelo Butale of Maniacs in the other semifinal.  Bonolo Mabote beat Thobo Matlhatsi of BDF TTC 4-2 to clinch the men’s final. The match was expected to produce fireworks as it featured two of the country’s finest players, but it was one sided affair as Matlhatsi failed to cope with Mabote’s tactical display.

The two players went from toe-to-toe from the start of the match, but Mabote seemed hungrier than his opponent on the day as he produced come back after losing the first set.  Matlhatsi had advanced to the finals after getting past his Maniacs’ teammate, Joseph Khatlampane in the semi finals while Matlhatsi beat Kanye TTC’s Rorisang Raesina in a very close semi final. More than 16 players who were divided on two groups; comprising of four players each, attended the even.  The top two players in each team advanced to the semifinals.

 Though the tournament did not have sponsors, the winners walked away with gold medals and P600 cash.

The tournament was used to gauge players who will represent the country at the All Africa Games in September.