GU in historic coke win

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday August 6, 2012 00:00

 

'The Money Machine,' as GU is known had their prayers finally answered after they beat Mochudi Centre Chiefs 4-2 in  penalty shootout after both sides failed to score in 120 minutes of football. Goalkeeper, Noah Maposa was the hero of the day saving two penalties by skipper, captain Mpoeleng Mpoeleng and Tshepo Motlhabankwe.

It looked like GU were in for heartbreak after starting the shootout on a wrong footing with Tshifiwa Kgaswane missing the first penalty. But  Thebe Maiketso, Gaopatwe Seosenyeng, Mpho Kgaswane and Makundika Sakala would convert the remaining kicks to grant GU their first Coca-Cola Cup trophy since the inception of the cup in 1992.

The match lacked the ingredients of a cup final as both teams put on a lacklustre show in front of passionate supporters who had been  waiting eagerly for the historic final. GU fell behind the ball allowing their much-fancied opponents more possession, but Chiefs failed dismally to create any real goal threats.  Despite their deep lying strategy, GU created better chances with Sageby Sandaka and Kaelo Kgaswane trying Mompoloki Sephekolo with long-range shots.

The best chance of the half probably fell to Maiketso in the 41st minute with a close header that bounced off the goalkeeper's chest before going out for a corner. The match continued with a pedestrian pace at the start of the second half. Chiefs survived a goalmouth melee in the 61st minute with Mandla Mgadla and Stephen Maposa efforts bouncing off the goal line. Chiefs would rev up their game towards the end of the half testing Maposa in a couple of occasions.

The Zebras keeper was however, on a mission to deny his former employees any goal doing well to punch away several attempts. He produced probably the best save of the game in the 84th minute saving substitute Godfrey Ngele's powerful shot from a few feet away from goal.

The match would become a bit lively in extra time with Chiefs continuing with their threats. Ngele and Elvis Meleka came close, but Maposa continued with his inspiring performance in goal to deny them. Usual suspect in referees' books Tumisang Sekanonyane was given his marching orders by referee, Omphile Phuthego in the final minute of extra time after he clashed heads with Kekaetswe Moloi inside the box.  It was a surprise decision by the match official who prior to that had already issued nine yellow cards though the match was not so violent.

GU pocketed P350, 00 for the win and stands to get a further P150, 000 if they compete in continental competitions. Chiefs on the other hand received P200, 000 for their efforts.

Line-upsGU: Maposa-Mpho Kgaswane, Kaelo Kgaswane, Seosenyeng, Sekanonyane-Mgadla, Modisaotsile, Sandaka (Pako Moloi 71), Maiketso, Maposa (Moeng 67)-Chikomo Sakala 79)

Chiefs: Sephekolo-Motlhabankwe, Chaka, Mpoeleng, Khunwane-Meleka, Galenamotlhale (Pilane 64), Dirang, (Ngele 57), Pontsho, Galabgwe (Maikano) 117)- Kekaetswe

Cautions: Dirang 8, Chikomo 12, Motlhabankwe 16Maposa 28, Pontsho 34, Modisaotsile 34, Seosenyeng 100, Sakala 104, Pako 120. Dismissal (Sekanonyane 119)Referee: Omphile Phuthego