Teamwork behind Ostriches� home run
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday December 4, 2015 10:34
Orapa United are on a 20 game unbeaten run at home, which backdates to 23 August 2014 when they lost 2-1 to then BMC (now Gilport Lions).
In the off-season, the Ostriches lost talisman Hendrick Moyo to Gaborone United, but bought wisely. Notably, former Notwane star Lemogang ‘Ntoche’ Maswena is blossoming under the tutelage of Madinda Ndlovu and the Ostriches are reaping from his astonishing form.
Ntoche has played 10 games and scored four goals in the last two games. His form has earned him a national team call-up.
Mosimanegape Robert, the short stopper has played in all encounters this season and proved to be very organised. He has also been called up to the Zebras camp. Robert has conceded nine goals in his 14 outings and only three at home.
The Ostriches have a strong central defence that is manned by Kealeboga Molebatsi and Olekantse Mambo. The duo and goalkeeper’s understanding makes the Ostriches defence one of the best in the league.
The team is compact in the middle with players such as Mgcini Sibanda, Patrick Motsepe, Thabang Mosige and the free scoring Thabang Sesinyi.
Sibanda has made 11 appearances this season (two as a sub) and scored once.
The Zimbabwean international is a holding player, hard tackler, at the same time very creative and has good movement. His combination with Motsepe has proven key.
Motsepe, signed from BDF XI, is experienced and can influence the flow of the game. He is calm, skillful and hard tackling. Captain, Thabang Mosige is one of the few surviving founders who helped Orapa gain promotion to the elite league. He is a brilliant ball player and swings in a lot of crosses into the box.
Sesinyi has done a great job as an attacking midfielder and is the team’s leading goal scorer with eight goals. Upfront Patrick Lenyeletse has four goals from 13games.
Undoubtedly, Mapalastina face a tough trip as their last league loss was at Itekeng where they were beaten 2-0 on April 25, 2015.
Rollers and Orapa United met four times in the league, two away games and two home matches. Rollers won both their home games, but they are yet to win in the mining town.
In Orapa, Popa drew one and lost one. However, they hold a very impressive record having collected seven points out of a possible 12 from their meetings, bagging nine goals and conceding four.
Last season after 14 games, the Ostriches were eighth on 24 points with seven wins, three draws and four losses. They had scored 16 goals and conceded 17 times.
This season, after the same number of games, the Ostriches are better placed at position two. They have 31 points, scored 22 goals and have the second best defensive record having conceded only nine.
Mochudi Centre Chiefs remain the only team to get a point from Itekeng this season after a goalless stalemate. The home side has won all their other six games scoring 13 goals and conceding only twice. The Ostriches spokesperson, Tebatso Hule said preparations are on track.
“This is a very important game. It’s a do or die for us. This is a game that will help us reduce the margin and put us in a good position to strengthen our challenge for the league.
Everything is on track, we have prepared well, all players are available and the team is motivated.
“We are expecting a lot of travelling fans for this game.
We therefore plead that people make arrangements well in time and come as early as possible so that they don’t incur delays at the gate and at the stadium entrance,” he said.