Flamingos, Stars Win Independence Cup
Koketso Kgoboge | Tuesday October 3, 2017 17:11
It took Flamingos 10 minutes to surge ahead against the young side. Pelaelo Hlabano posted a hard and low shot from the left side, goalkeeper parried on to the path of Monametsi Tsapoga and he tapped into an empty net.
Leopards showed no respect for Flamingos and a few minutes after the half-mark it was all square. Modise Kebaagetse applied a fitting finish at the far post after a great interchange with Keikabile Makhanthei.
Their celebrations were, however, cut short. Two minutes later, Letlang Moathodi pounced at the end of Shanganani Ngadla’s free kick and buried into the roof of the net.From the dugout Leopards continued to take the game to Flamingos. In the 55th-minute their persistence paid off. Onkemetse Marman’s free kick from 25 yards ricocheted off the wall and fell to Joseph Mosope’s drill home.
Sua took the lead for the third time in the 79th-minute. Ngadla unmarked at the far end, met Mamikina Mayunga’s free kick with a header to beat the rooted goalkeeper.
A similar combination killed the game with three minutes to the final whistle. Mayunga took a long corner to the far end, Ngadla climbed highest to redirect into the net to ensure his team takes P16,000 to Sowa.
Leopards coach, Makgolothwe was happy with his charges, who were rewarded with P10,000 for finishing second.
“It was a great game. We are a young side and we came to learn and we learnt. We lost because of (lack of) experience but we are happy.”His Flamingos counterpart, Kemmonye Elijah gave credit to Leopards. “We brought our best side but it was tough. They really made us sweat for the money, they are a good side.”
In the women’s final, Sebina-based women side Flying Stars demolished Francistown’s Ladies Focus 4-1 for the title. A brace from Botho Nelson and a goal each from Kesegofetse Onthusitse and Tebogo Mahube ensured the Sebina women walked away P5,000 richer. Unabo Bengani scored the consolation goal for Ladies Focus, who took home P3,000.
The teams
Flamingos: Edwin Mokibe, Donald Shiringa, Shanganani Ngada, Kago Kwena, Buzani Mangandayi, Mamikina Mayunga, Monametsi Tsapoga (Alfred Motiki), Letlang Moathodi, Thato Ganetsang, Witness Livingstone (Lesego Moiphemedi), Pelaelo Hlabano (Mompati Sekwa)
Leopards: Gothusang Osego, Joseph Mlenga, Mlamuki Wilson, Ofentse Otsile (Innocent Mogapi), Oratlie Sengombe, Onkemetse Marman (Kenosi Ndau), Keikabile Makhanthei, Stephan Mothumpho, Modise Kebaagetse, Joseph Mosope, Misane Richards (Thomas Gaseleko)
Cautions: Shiringa, Mothumpho
Flamingos (2) 4 (Tsapoga 10th, Moathodi 35th, Ngadla 79th, 87th)
Leopards (1) 2 (Kebaagetse 33rd, Mosope 55th)