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End of the road for Ostriches

The end: Orapa lost to USM Algers on Sunday. PIC: Orapa United
The end: Orapa lost to USM Algers on Sunday. PIC: Orapa United

FRANCISTOWN: Orapa United’s journey in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup came to a crashing end following a 2-1 loss to USM Alger of Algeria.

The Ostriches needed to win the penultimate game in order to keep alive their chances of reaching the quarterfinals provided they also win their remaining game against ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast. USM Alger top Group C with 11 points after Sekou Gassama and Hosam Ghosha scored for the Algerians while Kamogelo Moloi scored a late consolation goal for the Ostriches. Moloi’s goal was the Ostriches first goal in the tournament after five games. ASC Jaraaf of Senegal also proceeded to the quarterfinal following their 1-0 victory against ASEC. Just like in their previous games, the Ostriches’ main undoing was their failure to convert chances heading into the final match day against ASEC away in Abidjan. It was the first time for the Ostriches to qualify for the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup and it was the first time that a club from Botswana has got that far in the competition.

In the CAF Champions League, Township Rollers in 2018 and Jwaneng Galaxy in 2021-22 and 2023-24 respectively made it to the group phase. After the game, Ostriches coach, Tiiso Gadimang, said they have learnt a lot of lessons from their journey in Africa. “We have learnt a lot of lessons from our journey in Africa. We need experienced players to compete fairly in these competitions. Going forward, it is an experience for us as a club. Our main undoing is our failure to convert the chances that we create but we will keep on working hard to rectify the problem,” said Gadimang.

His USM counterpart, Nabil Maaloul from Tunisia was happy about the result saying that they came to Botswana to collect maximum points in order to emerge top in their group.

The teams Orapa United Lesenya Malapela, Koketso Majafi (Kamogelo Moloi), Botsile Sakana, Nyembo Azende (Kagisano Mungu), Ratlhogo Ricky Ratlhogo (captain), Ivan Kamberipa, Norman Mabaya (Kamogelo Moloi), Oarabile Sekwai, Kamarra Balllie (Letsweletse Gaboitsiwe), Thato Kebue, Atamelang Lesogo USM Alger Kamel Soufi, Kevin Mundeko Zatu, Imed Azzi, Glody Likonza, Omar Embarek, Brahim Benzaza, Sekou Gassama Cissokho, Saadi Radouani (captain), Wale Musa Alli, Ilyes Cheti (Rayane Mahrouz), Houssam Eddine Chacha

Editor's Comment
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We duly congratulate them to have ousted the long ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from power. Prior to taking power from the BDP, the coalition had made several election promises that are credited for influencing change and swaying the people to vote in its favour.The party had made an undertaking, which its leader and President Duma Boko consistently bellowed in his campaign trail. These undertakings were promises that Batswana would be...

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