Orapa set to win big at Orange awards

Kabelo Boranabi | Friday November 1, 2019 11:24

Orapa United lifted the Orange FA Cup after beating Rollers. PIC: KEOAGILE BONANG

A 3-1 win over Township Rollers in the final played in June meant that the Ostriches are the first team to win the national cup in close to a decade. The team dominates the awards nominees released this week, with four compared to FA Cup finalist Township Rollers’ two.

For the biggest award of the evening, the Player of the Tournament, United’s captain Omaatla Kebatho is up against his teammate Mothusi Johnson and Rollers’ Mothusi Cooper.

Kebatho, who is assured of the top goal scorer accolade with seven goals, was an inspiration to his side. The striker, despite missing a penalty in the final, has contributed just over 30% of the team’s 23 goals in the tournament. Johnson on the other hand was a marvel to watch throughout the tournament.

The wingback got a couple of assists to his name and hardly ever put a foot wrong in defence, as he is in line for the P40,000 prized award.

While, Cooper despite an average performance in the final, was Rollers’ stand out player throughout the tournament. He had two goals and assists but could not prevent his side from walking away with the silver medal in the June 15 final.

United’s goal minder, Lesenya Malapela has been nominated for the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award. He is nominated alongside Rollers’ Keoagile Kgosipula and Mike Masule, formerly with Kazungula Young Fighters. Kgosipula raises his hand above the duo.

He kept four clean sheets in four of the five games played and only conceded in the final. Malapela comes in for consideration, after conceding the least goals in the tournament.

He conceded just two goals, while Kgosipula conceded three. Masule carried the second tier, Fighters side to the quarterfinals after putting inspirational performances in the early stages. His side went down by a solitary goal in the quarterfinal against Rollers.

Mike Sithole of Police XI will wrestle for the Coach of the Tournament award against United’s Mogomotsi Mpote and Ishmael Tshuma.

Whistle men, Joshua Bondo, Keabetswe Dintwa and Abel Manyatso have been nominated for the Referee of the Tournament award while Mogomotsi Morakile, Thuso Chipeta and Seikokotelo Lesole are vying for the Assistant Referee award.

Full List of Nominees

Player of the tournament: P40, 000

Omaatla Kebatho- Orapa United

Mothusi Johnson- Orapa United

Mothusi Cooper- Township Rollers

Top Goal scorer: P25, 000

Omaatla Kebatho

Goalkeeper of the tournament: P25, 000

Keoagile Kgosipula- Township Rollers

Lesenya Malapela- Orapa United

Mike Masule- Kazungula Young

Fighters

Coach of the tournament: P10, 000

Mike Sithole- Police XI

Mogomotsi Mpote- Orapa United

Ishmael Tshuma- Sand Diamonds

Referee of the tournament: P10, 000

Joshua Bondo

Keabetswe Dintwa

Abel Manyatso

Ass. Referee of the tournament: P10, 000

Mogomotsi Morakile

Thuso Chipeta

Seikokotelo Lesole

Supporters Player of the tournament: P10, 000