GU wins Mascom top 8

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Monday May 20, 2013 00:00

 

GU went home P1 million richer after the win, while BDF XI pocketed P400,000. The match produced a total of six yellow cards and a red card.

Many had expected a free flowing and entertaining match, but unlike the quarter-finals and the semis, the final was characterised by flying tackles. Referee, Joshua Bondo and his assistants however managed to handle the situation well. By the end of the first half, Bondo had already flashed five yellow cards as the two sides resorted to dangerous play.

There was no surprise in the line-ups for both sides. Gaopatwe Seosenyeng and Gobonyeone Selefa started in central defence for GU while Moemedi Moatlhaping and Ronald Chikomo joined Tebogo Sembowa upfront every time the Reds surged forward. BDF XI started with Saukani Zulu upfront with Mokgathi Mokgathi playing as a second striker. The first chance of the match came in the 19th minute after both sides spent time intimidating each other. Seosenyeng's header beat BDF XI goalkeeper, Michael Pepukani but Tlhabano Koziba was on hand to head the ball away before it crossed the line. GU looked dangerous every time they attacked while BDF XI's most trusted playmakers, Ofentse Mmipi and Lemponye Tshireletso struggled. Sembowa put GU in front in the 35th minute with a powerful header. It was the second time Sembowa opened the score in the final of the competition after doing the same in last year for Rollers.

BDF XI tried to bounce back but they failed to penetrate the GU rearguard with the likes of Chikomo always dropping back to add numbers in defence. Only Mokgathi Mokgathi looked dangerous when going forward for BDF XI but lacked the support he usually gets from Mmipi and Tshireletso. Sembowa's solitary goal separated the two sides at half time.

A few minutes after the re-start, Chikomo increased GU's lead BDF XI were trying to re-group to force an equaliser. BDF XI coach, Letang Kgengwenyane responded by removing central midfielder, Bonolo Phuduhudu for striker, Jones Kwape to try and unlock the GU defence. However, Matebele's challenge was dealt a major blow three minutes later when goalkeeper, Pepukani received a red card after kicking Moatlhaping. Bondo awarded GU a penalty for the foul and Sembowa stepped forward to take it only to be thwarted by substitute goalkeeper, Bugalo Gunda who parried the ball away.

The referee ordered a re-take after Bugalo was adjudged to have moved from his line before the kick. But the goalkeeper emerged tops again to limit the damage. BDF XI played more purposefully after the red card while GU stayed back to protect the lead and launch counter-attacks. After coming on for Zulu with about 12 minutes on the clock, Francis Kanda struck to give BDF XI hope but the goal did not spark a comeback.