Galaxy over the weekend jumped to the second spot after a 2-1 home win over Sua Flamingoes at the Galaxy Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The reigning champions are now level on 36 points with leaders, Gaborone United and third placed, Township Rollers, as the 2024-2025 FNB Premiership championship race sends euphoria across the local football circles. “The most important thing is not to be left behind. This is one of most exciting title races we have ever seen in the country. So the most important thing is for us not to be left behind because every team is winning. Every team in the top six has a chance to win the league. So we do not want to be left behind. We want to be up there and fight for everything and fight for our supporters,” said Mpatane. Galaxy's intentions were clear on Saturday afternoon as they took the lead early on into the tie. On the overlap, full back, Tlamelo Kolagano, played a teasing cross for Thabang Sesinyi who, with an acrobatic effort, gave the home side the lead on the eighth minute.
From the goal, the home side took dominance of the tie and they looked threatening on the left wing as Sua Flamingoes’ right full back, Obusitswe Gabadise, appeared to be struggling early on. However despite several attempts in the first half, the home side held a 1-0 lead at the break. The visitors showed improvement early in the second half. Samuel Makgoro came close but his first attempt was blocked by the goalkeeper while his second attempt was parried away for a corner. Sua eventually got their equaliser when Victor James parried a long range effort back into play. Makgoro hit the roof of the net to make it 1-1. From the bench, Omaatla Kebatho restored Galaxy’s lead on the 61st minute. Thero Setsile cheekily played a low free-kick into the striker’s path and with a right foot, he beat the goalkeeper to the near post from close range. Sua remain within reach of the championship as they are now five points behind GU. Galaxy on the other end will have to battle with a depleted squad for while now as over the weekend, Moagi Sechele and Neo Mokhachane joined the team’s ever increasing injury list.
Mpatane has, however, said the team is expecting a full squad in a month’s period. “We have a long list of injured players. Shika (Kutlwelo Mpolokang) is out, Chicco (Molefe) is out, Wendell (Rudath) is out and today it was Neo (Mokhachane) and also Moagi Sechele. I think they will be out. But for the injured players, I think they are probably four weeks away, but what can we do, we will deal without them, and when they come back it will be an added advantage because they are quality players. But still we have capable players to fill that void,” said Mpatane.
The teams Galaxy: Victor James, Moagi Sechele, Tebogo Kopelang, Thabo Leinanyane, Tlamelo Kolagano, Dynamo Fredericks (Lesego Kereedilwe), Gilbert Baruti, Gift Moyo (Olebogeng Ramotse), Thabang Sesinyi, Thero Setsile, Neo Mokhachane (Omaatla Kebatho)
Sua: Keletso Lekuni, Obusitswe Gabadise (Boikobo Osupile), Thato Seagateng, Kaone van der Westhuizen, Gomotsang Tselaesele, Phenyo Serameng, Mcebisi Moyo, Samuel Makgoro, Tlhalefo Molebatsi (Baokeditswe Talane), Bame Morwalela (Serati Semadi), Ngwako Ramokgathi
Cautions: Mcebisi Moyo
Galaxy 2 (Sesinyi 8th, Kebatho 61st) Sua Flamingoes 1 (Makgoro 54th)
