GU Sail through
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday May 9, 2022 17:25
They started off with a completely new line-up with only Thero Setsile, Mothusi Johnson, Alford Velaphi, Thatayaone Ramatlapeng and Thato Kebue as the usual starters. Second choice goalkeeper, Ookeditse Semelamela started ahead of Goitseone Phoko while South African attacker, Sizwe Twala also made it to the starting line-up ahead of the likes of Thatayaone Kgamanyane and Onkabetse Makgantai. The first half was evenly contested especially in the middle of the park but produced little goalscoring chances until GU took the lead in the 39th minute. The Reds pressed forward and midfielder, Karabo Phiri received the ball in the box and opted to make a pass instead of attempting a shot at goal. Police XI defence intercepted the pass but failed to make a decisive clearance handing the ball back to Phiri. This time around the left footed midfielder simply tapped past Police XI goalkeeper, Kamogelo Mogomotsi. The Reds took a 1-0 lead to the halftime break.
As early as the first minute of the second half, Police XI had the chance to level matters when HendrickMoyo found himself in a good space inside the box but tripped and allowed GU to clear the ball away from danger. Two minutes later, Phiri nearly doubled GU’s lead but saw his well taken shot parried away for a corner by The Jungle Kings goalkeeper. Police XI finally got their equaliser in the 63rd minute through Chicco Molefe whose stunning freekick gave Semelamela no chance. However, GU restored the lead five minutes later through Setsile with an easy tap-in after a good movement that involved substitutes, Mpho Kgaswane and Kgamanyane.
In other matches played on Saturday, Debswana First Division South side, Matebele FC stunned the football fraternity when they knocked out Jwaneng Galaxy to reach their first ever FA Cup semi final. The two sides played to a 0-0 draw before Matebele emerged 4-3 victors after a penalty shootout. In Sowa, BDF XI hammered Sua Flamingoes 6-0.
“From here we are going to concentrate on the league games. We are left with three games and we will have to go all out so that we qualify for top eight next season,” Police XI coach, Junior Lotlaamoreng said after the match. He said they lost match because of their own mistakes.
GU coach, innocent Morapedi said they knew they were going to play a tough opponent. “If you look at our past results against Police XI, the score is always close,” he said.
The teams:
GU: Ookeditse Semelamela, Alford Velaphi, Karabo Phiri, Mothusi Johnson, Kennedy Amutenya, Thato Kebue, Alphonse Modisaotsile (Lebogang Ditsele) Thatayone Ramatlapeng (Thatayaone Kgamanyane), Sizwe Twala (MisaniThupa), Keaketswe Moloi (Mpho Kgaswane)
Police XI: Kamogelo Mogomotsi, Betsho Pius, Hendrick Moyo (Ogomoditswe Sitang), Botshelo Mangena (Bakang Makgoloke), Pako Gaofose, Tonderai Nyakuba, Chicco Molefe, Letlhogonolo Senwelo, Eliphas Nyambi, Tapiwa Gadibolae, Letsweletse Leririma
Cautions: Cautions: Senwelo, Alphonse, Nyambi
GU 2 (Phiri 39th, Setsile 68th)
Police XI 1 (Molefe 63rd)