Botho Claim Varsity Cup
Naledi Lemogang | Monday June 5, 2017 15:49
Botho finished in second position after GIPS in the league and went to the finals with an upper hand. The defending champions, GIPS failed to make it to the finals with Boitekanelo making it through after replacing Limkokwing at the last minute after.
Limkokwing failed to pay affiliation fee. The tournament, which is made up of four private tertiary institutions (Botho, Boitekanelo, GIPS and ABM), was organised by the Private Tertiary Institutions Association (PTIA).
After the tournament PTIA president, Keorapetse Setlhare said the association will organise the varsity league awards at the end of this month to appreciate the best league performers. “We will award the best goal keeper, coach, team, player and top goal scorer and during the award we would be announcing the varsity 11 team. We are doing this so that our athletes will continue to take tournaments and leagues very seriously or sports at large,” Setlhare said.
He said they will award best performers with certificates and trophies. “At the moment we do not have prize money,” he said, “However we are still searching for partners to sponsor our awards.”
The two teams produced an absorbing and breathless opening 15 minutes. However Boitekanelo relaxed a bit in the middle and they appeared slow in their wing attacks. Botho created a chance from the middle after Stewart Moreti combined well with Obakeng Mokoto with a cross into the box but his second touch took the ball away from him.
Boitekanelo responded with an attack through their wings but that did not work out but rather inspired Botho, as they immediately scored their first goal through Moreti in 25th minute. From there on Botho produced more attacks with Boitekanelo absorbing the pressure well.
In 38th minute, Botho increased their lead by Loago Kgaswane after receiving a ball from the left wing and passed it into the net after a scramble in the box. A couple of minutes before half time Boitekanelo pulled one back through a well taken free kick by Kabelo Goitsemang to end the first half at 2-1.
At the start of second half, Botho continued with their attacking play while their opponents sat back and appeared to offer little going forward. In 58th minute, Moreti who was tormenting Boitekanelo’s defensive line did not waste any time after he redirected a pass past the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
After the goal, Boitekanelo created a chance that went off target however Botho seemed not to be threatened as they created golden chances with the goalkeeper keeping them at bay with outstanding saves. At the end of the tournament, Boitekanelo went home with silver medals while ABM received bronze after winning against Gips at the losers final match.
Botho 3 (Moreti 25th, 58th, Kgaswane 38th)
Boitekanelo 1 (Goitsemang 42th)