Orange FA Cup Off To Blazing Start
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday February 18, 2019 11:45
Notwane and Black Peril sent early warning signs of their intent in the tournament when they smashed five goals each against their opponents.
Notwane were away in Tshane and hammered Blue Stars 5-1. Unlike other Premier League sides who will only join the tournament in the next round, Notwane were fixtured in the first round because of their First Division status last season.
An away trip to Tshane was always going to be considered a tricky adventure, but Toronto beat the odds with the usual names appearing on the score sheet.
Thabiso Boti grabbed a brace with the other goals coming from Tlhalefo Molebatsi, Sithembile Mbuqe and Thato Seagateng. Blue Stars’ consolation goal came from Geoffrey Modise.
Down South, Black Peril were also in the mean mood against fellow Debswana First Division side, Mogoditshane Fighters. Former Notwane player, Moshe Tlhaolang became the first player in this year’s edition of the competition to score a hattrick as Black Peril came out 5-1 victors.
The other goals came from substitute, Kabo Motsamai and former Uniao Flamengo Santos and Gaborone United (GU) striker, Mathews Moruti.
Black Peril had taken the lead early in the first half before Othusegile Botsetswe caught Peril’s defence napping and levelled matters.
However, Black Peril quickly sort themselves out and regained the lead. By halftime they were 3-1 ahead before they wrapped up the tie in the second half.
The heavy score line came as a shock to a decent crowd who thronged Tlokweng VDC ground on Saturday considering that Fighters recently defeated Black Peril in the league.
Black Peril however this time came out looking for revenge and deservedly so, did it in an emphatic fashion. Even head coach, Wire Kaelo admitted a loss to Fighters again would have been a disaster for his side.
“I am happy that we managed to win. It was going to be a disaster because this is the same team that beat us in the league last weekend,” Kaelo said after his side’s victory over Fighters.
“So it was a positive response from the boys. I am told that from here we are going to pick one of the Premier League sides. It is a adventure and we are looking forward to it.”
He said they will use the weekend result and the up coming FA Cup fixture to motivate themselves in the league following a setback last weekend in which they lost to Fighters.
He said it is a good thing for his boys to rub shoulders with other players at Premier League level, which is why everyone is excited about the return of the FA Cup.
“We have been waiting for this. Even the atmosphere here is good. We should congratulate Orange Botswana and Botswana Football Association for this relationship, which is good for football. This is not only good for the players but supporters as well,” he said.
Fighters coach, Tiroyamodimo ‘TRX’ Mohambi rued missed chances by his charges, but said they will try and fix their defensive errors going forward.
Immediately after the Black Peril and Fighters match, Red Sparks faced a tricky encounter against Holy Ghost. By half time, both sides were locked at 0-0 with equal chances.
However, Kabelo Babusi scored the only goal in the second half to send Red Sparks to the next round.
In Mmankgodi, Jwaneng Fighters and ambitious side, Digodi were tied at 0-0 but Fighters advanced to the next round after winning 3-1 on penalties. Sound Diamonds and Motaung Young Fighters also drew 0-0.
In the end Diamonds won 4-3 after penalty shootout. The winners will join Premier League sides in the next round. The competition continues this weekend in the north.