GU reigns supreme

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday August 16, 2010 00:00

 

The Reds beat rivals Notwane by a solitary goal in the final to gain freedom of the city and get charged up for the be MOBILE Premier League that kicks off next week.

Ironically, the two teams play each other in the league in Molepolole next Saturday. Notwane were the first team to book a berth in the finals when they beat defending league champions Township Rollers 4-1 in a penalty shootout after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw. GU reached the final when they beat newly promoted First Division outfit, Queens Happy Hearts 3-0 in the second semi-final.

Two goals from bearded striker Steven Maposa and one from Sageby Sandaka were enough to break Hearts apart and booked the Money Machine a deserved date with Toronto in the finals. Maposa showed he meant business again in the finals when he scored the solitary goal that settled the match.

Both teams fielded youngsters and new signings for the final game, which, only one goal lived up to expectations.Speaking after the game, GU coach Mike 'Dubula Dubula' Sithole said the win did well to boost the morale of the players ahead of the new season.

'It is psychologically a very good win for the team, the new boys showed a lot of confidence and I can only hope they continue from here as we start the league next week,' he said.

He commended his team for a good display despite being fresh from an African competition and having a very short break. He said his only worry is in the goalkeeping department, which is plagued by injuries. New recruit from Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Gontse Tlhowe, was used between the posts in the one- day tournament where he was a marvel to watch. Sithole said his defence did very well despite the absence of another new recruit, Musa Ohilwe, from BMC. Former Chiefs defender, Given Mpundu, was given a run where he did very well partnering Gobonyeone 'Shoes' Selefa.

Notwane coach, Luke Masomere, said despite not winning the cup, he was happy with his team's display. He said he was using the tournament to give his youngsters a chance in a bid to get them ready for the big stage as the league starts.

'We played very well in the first game, but made a lot of changes for the finals bringing in youngsters and despite losing, they played very well. We are looking forward to our first league game against GU and I think we will finish among the top four this season,' he said.

One of the tournament organisers, Themba Thabologang, from GRFA said they were impressed with the outcome of the tournament.

He said they wanted to do something as a regional soccer body to add to the development of the game in their area and they just achieved their target with the tournament.

Thabologang said had they started preparations for the tournament earlier, it could have even been better. 'We had a very short notice, even some of the potential sponsors could not come forward to help due to the short notice,' he said.

He was, however, impressed with the attendance and said they want to make the tournament an annual event.Sponsors of the tournament included Dirang Motors (main sponsors), Regent Insurance, Maxy Investments, Choppies, O3 and Security Systems.