Orebonye Saves GU Against Forest
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday May 15, 2017 15:16
The two sides played to a similar draw in the first round and were battling to cement their places in the top eight. From the first minute, Moyagoleele looked threatening, with green boot-chasing Orebonye forcing a splendid save from Michael James with a header in the fourth minute.
GU were eventually rewarded for their efforts as Thatayaone Ditlhokwe headed home from a corner in the 18th minute to give his team the lead, his first goal in GU colours. Forest tried to settle into the match after the goal as they managed to connect a string of passes.
The new comers levelled the scores in the 29th minute through Gofaone Mabaya. The winger got at the end of a long ball from Thomas Modiradilo and chipped over an on-rushing Goitseone Phoko. With the match steadily gaining momentum, Orebonye missed a chance to give his team the lead as his free kick flew over the bar. Phoko produced the save of the match as he fisted Maikano Maikano’s hard hit free kick over the bar to concede a corner. The sides went into the break locked 1-1.
Forest looked the better side in the early stages of the second half as they piled pressure on the GU defence, which looked rather unconvincing on the day.
In the 58th minute, Tonderai Nyakuba pumped a long ball forward, which fell on Wellington Maposa’s path. The striker hit it first time with a half volley, leaving Phoko motionless, to give his side the lead against his former employers.
GU however replied four minutes later against the run of play. Kabelo Seakanyeng took advantage of a concentration lapse at the back, beat two defenders with skill and laid to Orebonye who tapped- in to level matters with his 14th goal of the league campaign .
The striker is now a goal behind leading goalscorer Terrence Mandaza. Two minutes to full time, Thatayaone Kgamanyane delivered a telling cross into the box but Koketso Majafi missed the goal by a whisker from his headed attempt.
The effort proved to be the last action of the game. GU remain on fifth position while Forest are proving to be Pablo Picasso of the Premiership as they have drawn their 14th game out of 28 played.
“It was an exciting game, both teams with different styles of play. They (Forest) are a very tricky team and we always try to come up with different tactics to win the games.
We have to win more games and we would try. We are GU and we have a commitment with our supporters (to qualify for the top eight),” GU coach Rodolfo Zapata reacted to the draw.
His counterpart Rapelang Tsatsilebe lauded his troops for a good display, but bemoaned concentration lapse in the early and late stages of the match. “I’m impressed by the boys’ performance and to draw against a team like GU is a good thing. I am happy,” he said.
The teams:
GU: Goitseone Phoko, Tshepo Maikano, Thabiso Khunwane, Godwin Bonsu, Gosegonna Molapisi, Alphonse Modisaotsile, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (Thato Ogopotse), Lerato Botshelo (Jeffery Sekapite), Kabelo Seakanyeng, Karabo Phiri (Akulubelwa Mwachiaba), Tumisang Orebonye
Forest: Michael James, Goabaone Mogorosi, Tonderai Nyakuba, Mosimanyana Letsholo, Maikano Maikano, Mogomotsi Kerebotswe, Koketso Majafi, Thomas Modiradilo (Onneile Sebapalo), Gofaone Mabaya, Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Wellington Maposa (Lynoth Chikuwa)
Cautions: Maikano, Mogorosi, Phoko, Orebonye, Ogopotse
GU 2 (Ditlhokwe 18th, Orebonye 62nd)
Forest 2 (Mabaya 29th, Maposa 58th)