Gunners Halt Orapa�s Charge
Tumelo Mouwane | Monday February 1, 2016 14:44
Gunners missed an opportunity in the fifth minute after Moemedi Moatlhaping fired wide from a one on one encounter with Orapa United’s shot stopper, Mosimanegape Robert.
The first half was characterised by several stoppages due to injuries as the game became physical. Midway through the first half, the side from the mining town began to stretch the Peleng boys.
Gunners responded with Mandla Mgadla alongside Daniel Mogapi making attempts but Robert thwarted their efforts. The referee called for a water break in the 27th minute as temperatures sored. Orapa United almost went ahead in the 34th minute, but Kemmy Pilato made a vital block.
Gunners went ahead with a firm Desire Bafana header from a Pilato cross in the 37th minute.
The Ostriches began the second half aggressively looking for an equaliser and Olekantse Mambo was cautioned in the process after he carelessly charged at Mgadla.
Orapa United coach, Madinda Ndlovu, sent on Lemogang Maswena for new boy Onkabetse Makganthai. The Orapa side pressed Gunners and were rewarded in the 64th minute when Patrick Lenyeletse sent a cracker past Gunners goalkeeper, Wagare Dikago.
Both teams went all out for the winner but failed to find the net with spoils shared at the end. Orapa United mentor, Madinda Ndlovu said his side dominated the encounter except that they lacked sharp finishing.
“We dominated the game right from the first half. We moved very well, but besides that we didn’t have sharp finishing. That let us down in the first half,” Ndlovu said.
Extension Gunners head coach, Daniel ‘Chico’ Nare declined to comment.
Extension Gunners: Wagare Dikago, Oabile Makopo, Finki Mothibi, Desire Bafana, Thapelo Mosweu, Kemmy Pilato, Godirwang Amos, Mandla Mgadla, Bonno Mosea (Mogomotsi Mokoka), Moemedi Moatlhaping, Daniel Mogapi (Tshegofatso Chimuku)
Orapa United: Mosimanegape Robert, Kealeboga Molebatsi, Lesenya Ramorake, Thabang Mosige, Mgcini Sibanda, Olenkatse Mambo, Patrick Motsepe, Onkabetse Makganthai, (Lemogang Maswena) Thabang Sesenyi, Patrick Lenyeletse, Ronald Chikomo.
Extension Gunners (1) 1 (Bafana 37th)
Orapa United (0) 1 (Lenyeletse 65th)