Sesinyi-Inspired Galaxy Sweep Ostriches
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday April 3, 2017 14:42
The win means Galaxy achieve the feat in their first appearance and pocket a cool P1.2 million.
The encounter started at a frantic pace with both sides threatening at either ends in the opening minutes. Ronald Chikomo had his goal bound header finger tipped out by Anthony Gouws in the fourth minute.
Mosimanegape Robert was at the right place and at the right time to deny Boitumelo Mafoko with a spectacular save when the Galaxy defender connected well with a Morris Ruzivo free kick at the foot of the goal on the 24th minute. Threats plummeted towards the end of the half.
Second minute from the dugout Ruzivo drew first blood. Former Ostriches man Thabang Sesinyi looped a sleek cross to Christopher Musonda who helped the ball into the path of Ruzivo at the far post and the latter tapped in. On the hour mark, it was 2-0. Olebogeng Malebye’s corner kick found Mafoko unmarked in the 18 yard and the Galaxy defender redirected into the top right corner.
Eight minutes later, Ostriches captain Thabang Mosige pulled one back when he rose high and headed Kealeboga Molebatsi corner into the near post with the goalkeeper rooted to his line. In the 78th minute, Tendai Nyumasi sent the stadium into a frenzy when he poked in a delicate Molebatsi free kick into the near post when the goalkeeper was again suspect with dealing with crosses.
His coach, Michael Sithole was not impressed.
“Our goalkeeper made poor decisions that nearly cost us. He was too erroneous, he was a bit nervous,” Sithole said. In the 83rd minute, Malebye was erroneously shown a second yellow when the referee adjudged him to have fouled Nyumasi. However, it was a little too late for United to capitalise and the game went into extra time. Ten minutes into extra time, United had their goal ruled out for an offside and while they were still agitated at the decision 10 men Galaxy stabbed.
Musonda exposed bad goalkeeping by Robert when he flicked a long free kick into the near post where the goalkeeper was, but he failed to deal with the situation.
After the goal, Galaxy grew in confidence and six minutes into the second half of extra time Sesinyi produced a brilliant run down the left and laid a pinpoint low cross to Tebogo Sembowa in the penalty area, Sembowa took a low drive into the bottom left corner to take the game far from United.
Five minutes later Nyumasi reduced the margin to 4-3 when he met another Molebatsi cross, however, the writing was already on the wall. Orapa coach, Madinda Ndlovu blamed it on bad officiating. “We went down but we fought back,” he said. “We had a beautiful goal disallowed and that agitated my players and we lost focus. It cost us a great deal.”
Sithole was overwhelmed. “I am happy for the boys. They showed character after we went one man down and I think we are going for a double this season.”
Line Ups
Orapa United
Mosimanegape Robert, Kealeboga Molebatsi, Thabang Mosige, Mooketsi Hlabano, Olekantse Mambo, Omaatla Kebatho, Kemmy Pilato, Tendai Nyumasi, Gift Moyo (Zebron Ndjovu), Patrick Lenyeletse (Lemogang Maswena), Ronald Chikomo (Khumoetsile Kufigwa)
Galaxy
Anthony Gouws, Boitumelo Mafoko, Thabo Leinanyane, Moreetsi Mosimanyana, Isaac Paeye, Musa Ohilwe, Olebogeng Malebye, Tebogo Sembowa, Christopher Musonda, Thabang Sesinyi, Morris Ruzivo (Gilbert Baruti)
Cautions: Mosige, Gouws,
Dismisal: Malebye
Orapa United (0) 3 (Mosige 69th, Nyumasi 78th, 126th)
Jwaneng Galaxy (0) 4 (Ruzivo 47th, Mafoko 61st, Musonda 112th, Sembowa 121st)