We Knew They'd Fight - Mpote
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday February 24, 2020 13:54
It gradually progressed evenly tied for the first 20 minutes, but the minnows looked threatening. Kabo Ngongorego eventually opened the scoring, giving Fighters the lead on the 36th minute. United were quick to reply as Mbatshi Elias tucked home to level the matters just four minutes later.
The teams went into recess level at 1-1. Just three minutes into the second half, United were given a penalty after Onkabetse Makgantai was brought down inside the penalty area. The striker dusted himself off and converted to give United a 2-1 lead. The defending champions were 3-1 ahead on the 50th minute. Allen Ndodole beat the keeper to the top corner with a shot from outside the box. The Ostriches dominated proceedings after those two quick goals. On the 80th minute, Mothusi Johnson headed home from close range to make it 4-1. Omaatla Kebatho then pinned the last nail on the coffin benefiting from a goalkeeping error. to make it 5-1.
“We knew they would try to bring the fight to us. It was difficult for us in the first half. If we could have trained here for a session or two it could have been better. We are used to natural grass field, but here we played on an artificial grass. It could have been better if we could have trained here before the game,” United’s coach, Mogomotsi Mpote said after the game. His counterpart, Fighters’ Thaloba Nthaga was disappointed to exit the competition so early on.
The Teams:
Fighters: Kenewang Bareng, Ramotsoka Ramotsoka, Ngongorego, David Mathoni, Bophelo Keabetswe, Othusitse Botsetse, Thuso Keraetswe, Kagiso Mokaeya, Sipho Motaung, Tumo Kgosiedirang (Badisa Thulare), Morapedi Kengaletswe
Orapa United: Lesenya Malapela, Mpho Kgaswane, Mooketsi Hlabano, Thabang Mosige, Johnson, Raziki Hamisi (Tumelo Majola), Tapiwa Nyamanjiva, Ndodole (Gape Thibedi), Makgantai, Kebatho, Elias
Caution: Mosige
Orapa Utd 5 (Elias 40th, Makgantai 48th pen, Ndodole 50th,
Fighters 1 (Ngongorego 36th)