Systems� Guards Shock The Reds
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday November 28, 2016 15:26
Systems held league champions Township Rollers to a 1-1 draw in a mid-week clash while GU were fresh from a 3-1 away win against Green Lovers. With only 13 minutes into the game, Omphile Sebolai committed the first foul as he brought down Tumisang Orebonye in front of the box but Mpho Kgaswane hit the wall with his free kick. Two minutes later at the other end, Mgcini Sibanda played one-two passes with Sebolai who skied his effort. In the 33rd minute Thabiso Khunwane brought down Molebeledi Gabofiwe in the box and the referee did not hesitate and pointed to the spot. GU’s former defender, Osego Gaotewe stepped up and made no mistake as he sent Goitseone Phoko the wrong way to put one behind his former employers in the 34th minute. Moyagoleele levelled matters three minutes to the break through Kgaswane. Jackson Lesole won the ball in the middle of the park, passed to Kabelo Seakanyeng who beat a defender with pace and laid in the path of Kgaswane who fired past the keeper with a low shot to the left bottom corner. The teams went in to the break level.
The first chance of the second half came from Vincent Lekorwe whose header went into Goitseone Phoko’s hands in the 53rd minute. Systems’ coach, Thaloba Nthaga replaced Lekorwe and Onkgolotse Senatla with Galefetoge Kenaope and Mpho Gaoboitsiwe respectively. The changes paid dividends in 69th minute as Phoko parried Kenaope’s shot into Gaboitsiwe’s path who slammed into an empty net to give Systems the lead. Substitute Moatlhodi Ralesotla missed a chance to level matters as his header went wide with only three minutes to time.
“I think in the first half we gave them too much space in the midfield and it was too dangerous because their full backs stayed wide allowing the wingers to add numbers in the midfield. We will take it one game at a time. Our mandate hasn’t changed; it’s to avoid relegation,” Nthaga said.
His counter part at GU, Rodolfo Zapata was lost for words. “You saw what happened. Our performance wasn’t that good. We have young players that we have to groom. We come up with tactics every game; sometimes it works sometimes it does not,” said a rather emotional Zapata.
The teams:
GU: Goitseone Phoko, Jackson Lesole, Thabiso Khunwane, Godwin Bonsu, Karabo Phiri, Thato Ogopotse, Botshelo Lerato (Moatlhodi Ralesotla), Obonye Maome (Hendrick Moyo), Mpho Kgaswane, Kabelo Seakanyeng, Tumisang Orebonye
Systems: Joseph Gojamang, Osego Gaotewe, Kutlo Sejeso, Kago Nfila, Bophelo Macheng, Omphile Sebolai (Michael Pillar), Mgcini Sibanda, Molebeledi Gabofiwe, Vincent Lekorwe (Galefetoge Kenaope), Onkgolotse Senatla (Mpho Gaoboitsiwe), Tumelo Mazebedi
Cautions: Nfila, Kenaope
Gaborone Utd 1 (Kgaswane 42nd)
Systems 2 (Gaotewe 34th, Gaboitsiwe 69th)