Gunners, Orapa Settle For Draw
Tumelo Mouwane | Monday October 30, 2017 14:51
Both teams went for the jugular early on, with goalkeepers kept busy.
Gunners’ goal poacher, Kenanao ‘Flo’ Kgetholetsile troubled the Orapa back line but could not find the early break.
The hosts’ glove man, Kelame Tladinyane thwarted several Orapa attacks, with national team attacker, Omaatla Kebatho spearheading the front line.
The Ostriches went ahead in the 30th minute when Lemogang Maswena finished off a cross with a solid attempt past Tladinyane.
The Gunners were not behind for too long when Ofentse Mmipi powered home eight minutes after Maswena’s opener. Gunners enjoyed better possession towards the close of the half, with both teams level 1-1.
The Ostriches were pushed further into their own half and it came as no surprise when Ronald Olaki gave the home side the lead in the 56th minute, following a sweeping counter.
The Ostriches’ wings had been clipped and facing a possible third defeat on the trot, Tapiwa Nyamanjiva emerged with the rescue package in the 80th minute.
Orapa assistant coach, Zacharia Muzadzi said the morale of his players was down but they accept the point from the game. “The morale of my players has been down in the past two games.
To have gained a point from the match is positive. If you lose games, you cannot have a happy camp, hence the need to win our next games. My players approached the game with confidence just that we were unlucky to score,” he said. Gunners coach, Itumeleng Duicker, said his players played well but were just unlucky.
“Our players gave their best. They attacked with determination but we were just unlucky to have failed to score more goals. The team is in shape and our attack is getting more solid. We hope for better luck next time,” he said.
The teams
Extension Gunners: Kelame Tladinyane, Katlego Mothibi, Desire Bafana, Leteng Legopelo, Michael Tinye, Ofentse Mmipi, Letlhogonolo Mosala (Kudzanani), Kenanao Kgetholetsile, Wazha Seleka, Ronald Olaki
Orapa United: Kaelo Joseph, Kealeboga Molebatsi, Olekantse Mambo, Kabo Muganbe, Lesenya Ramoraka, Tapiwa Nyamanjiva, Tendai Nyamusi (Molebatsi), Ronald Chikomo, Kobamelo Kebaikanye, Lemogang Maswena (Lenyeletse) Omatla Kebatho
Extension Gunners (1) 2 (Mmipi 38th, Olaki 56th)
Orapa United (1) 2 (Maswena, 30th Nyamanjiva 80th )