Galaxy Add To Gunners' Woes
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday March 4, 2019 13:14
The Peleng giants’ preparations for the game were disrupted after players boycotted training owing to unpaid salaries.
The team had to train for just two games to prepare for the clash. On the field, both teams showed close to equal strengths in the early stages of the match as they tried to knock around the ball in a game played under scorching temperatures.
In first quarter hour mark, Mmoloki Kebalepile put in a teasing cross for Lungisani Fanyana. The striker with a free header inside the box headed over the bar. Galaxy tried to unlock the Gunners’ defence with breakthrough passes, but could gel well in the final third.
On the 36th minute, Thero Setsile from a free kick shot straight at the keeper. Four minutes, Setsile came close once again with a free header inside the six-yard area but could not direct it goal ward as the teams went in to the break level at 0-0.
Just three minutes into the second half, Setsile redeemed himself with a good chip over the goalkeeper to give his side the lead with his 10th goal of the league campaign.
Three minutes later, the visitors doubled the lead with Isaac Paeye coming from the blind spot to tuck in a corner kick. Gunners’ South African import, Masibusane Zongo made his debut after months of delay coming in for Kebalepile on 62nd minute.
On the 78th minute, on the wing Setsile centred in for substitute, Patrick Kaunda but the striker shot over the bar. Three minutes to time, Gift Moyo turned his defenders inside out but he was superbly denied by Katlego Mbise inside the penalty area. The home side pulled one back on the 89th minute, Pako Moloi put in past advancing Ezekiel Morake. The goal could not save the homes side as Galaxy bagged the maximum points.
“We gave it a good try, we had six days without training. We had scheduled to start on Monday but we could not because of the circumstances we find ourselves in,” Gunners’ coach said after the game.
“The boys gave it their all in the first half, by the time we conceded those goals, the legs we gone, they lost concentration as well but they gave it a good try.” His counterpart Galaxy’s, Miguel da Costa was happy to collect the maximum points and keep the chase on the log leaders, Township Rollers. “We did not understand what the opposition was trying to play. But I think we did well, I do not care about how I play anymore we just to keep on winning. The way we play not as important as collecting the points,” he said.
The Teams:
Gunners: Mbise, Katlego Mothibi (Brian Mankanku), Desire Bafana, Kebalepile (Zongo), Tendai Kesekile, Obonye Moswate, Kudzanai Machadzai, Mosimanegape Ntwaetsile, Fanyana (Emmanuel Machinya), Moloi, Ogomoditse Sitang
Galaxy: Morake, Paeye, Moagi Sechele, Forunate Thulare, Thato Kebue, Olebogeng Malebye, Tebogo Sembowa (Kaunda), Setsile (Vincent Lekorwe), Moyo, Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Atisang Batsi (Letlhogonolo Chenjela)
Caution: Moswate, Paeye
Gunners 1 (Moloi 89th)
Galaxy 2 (Setsile 48th, Paeye 51st)