Rollers, Orapa primed for Orange final
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday June 14, 2019 12:53
Orapa United and Township Rollers will battle it out in the maiden Orange FA Cup final at the Francistown Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
This will be the second cup final meeting between the two sides with Rollers looking for revenge over the hurting 2016 Top 8 final defeat to United. This fixture brings two teams and coaches with contrasting tales.
Rollers coach, Rodolfo Zapata could use the game to push for an improved and permanent deal, as the team looks for a season double. Zapata’s contract with Rollers was up to the end of May. Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote is in line for his maiden career cup victory and the first with United as the team looks to avoid ending the season, barren.
Teenage has never won a cup as a head coach and will look to prove his mettle against his former employers. He however, has a league title to his name with Popa.
The main contrast however has been the two teams’ style of play. It will be a battle of speed and wing play of United against the short, quick and free flowing passes game of Rollers.
The Ostriches have been ruthless thus far in the tournament after scoring a remarkable 20 goals in just four games, making it an average of five goals per game while conceding just two. Under Mpote, the team has been playing a lot of high balls from the back to the offensive line. The Ostriches normally avoid playing through midfield, which is composed of hard men.
The team uses a lot of wing play with both the wingers and full back whipping in early crosses for the target man.
The Blues on the other hand, are very patient on the build up. The team tries to find pockets of space with a variety in length and height of passes trying to break the opposition backline. Popa often approach the game with the inclusion of attack-minded wingbacks.
They have not conceded in the four games, building up to the final while despite putting a lot of offensive act, they scored just seven goals.
Rollers will miss Lemponye Tshireletso and Edwin Moalosi due to injuries while United have a clean bill of health and have been boosted by the recoveries of Kobamelo Kebaikanye, Mbatshi Elias and Omaatla Kebatho. The trio is, however, subject to late fitness tests.
Words From The Bench
Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote (Orapa United)
“We have been inactive for three weeks and that has taken a toll on the boys. I believe we will be ready on Saturday, our offensive record shows what we are capable of as a team. We have to attack hard and defend more. I am working here. I have a target to meet. We need this cup more than Rollers, I would not hide from that fact. Our trophy cabinet is currently empty and we have to do something about it on Saturday. We will have to take the fight to Rollers over the weekend,” he said.
Rodolfo ‘Rolo’ Zapata (Township Rollers)
“We have many injuries and tired legs from the journey to South Africa (COSAFA Cup). The break was not positive for us, but these are not excuses. I respect Orapa, they play a totally different style, but bring very good results and that speaks volumes about them as a team. I have my own style of play, I pass the ball around and I want to play with much excitement and enjoyment.
“I always focus on winning. I do not know anyone involved in football that would like to lose a cup final or any game. We have already won the league and we are so happy to reach the cup final. We want to win it now,” he said.
Players To Watch
Omaatla Kebatho (Orapa United)
The burly striker leads the tournament’s top goal scorer’s charts with six goals. He has scored 30% of the team’s 20 goals making it the highest contribution in the competition.
‘Dunga’ posses great strength, making him hard to close-mark, he is quick with a powerful shot. He is good with both feet and in the air but he is often let down by his hurry and lack of composure in front of goal.
Mothusi Cooper (Rollers)
The 21-year-old has shown glimpses of a complete box-to-box midfielder. Despite his pint-sized figure, he is a tough tackler and marker with great protection of possession. Cooper also has great vision with quick feet.
The youngster can operate in both offensive and defensive roles in the middle of the park. He has, however, been let down by his lack of aerial presence.
The battlefield
The Francistown Sports Complex will once again host a cup final. The country’s biggest sporting venue is slowly becoming football’s preferred venue for big games after hosting four cup finals and a number of key Zebras matches.
The finalists have met at the stadium before when the Ostriches emerged 3-1 victors in the 2016 Top 8 final. This will be Popa’s second cup final at the 27,000 capacity venue and have won one compared to the Ostriches’ third visit with just a single cup victory.
There is a sense of exhilaration with this final as it will be the first in seven years and the first under the Orange Botswana sponsorship.
Road to final
Rollers
3 - 0 Santa Greens
1 - 0 Extension Gunners
1 - 0 Kazungula Fighters
2 - 0 BDF XI
Orapa United
10 - 0 Peace Makers
4 - 0 Sand Diamonds
2 - 1 Security Systems
4 - 1 Police XI
Records in numbers
20: Orapa United has scored highest number of goals scored by a single team prior to the final.
Seven: The highest number of goals in the FA Cup final, this was in 2008 when Mochudi Centre Chiefs beat Uniao Flamingo Santos 5-2.
Six: Most FA Cup wins and Rollers and their cross-town rivals, Gaborone United (GU), hold the record. The current goal-scoring turnout is held by United’s Omaatla Kebatho. It is highest ever under the Orange Botswana sponsored cup.
Five: Chiefs scored five goals in the 2008 final against Santos and still remains the highest by a single team. The cup final has gone to penalties five times. The last final to be decided by the lottery of penalties was in 2012 where GU beat Chiefs 4-2 after they locked at 0-0 at regulation time.
Three: A team has successfully defended the cup just three times. Rollers, GU and Mogoditshane Fighters have achieved the feat.
Zero: The least number of goals conceded by a team prior to the final. The current Rollers team is yet to concede in this edition of the cup.
Weather conditions
Sunny conditions are expected with temperatures at a mild 23º with no to little wind.