Matebele’s fairy tale faces Reds test
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday June 11, 2022 06:00
The two teams will lock horns in the second semi-final of Season 3 of the Orange FA Cup at the National Stadium in a 7pm kick-off. Matebele remain the only team from the lower division in the last four, becoming the second team to do so in the consecutive season after Masitaoka went all the way to the final last year.
The team made their First Division debut this season and finished fourth, nine points behind eventual champions, Holy Ghost. The Eagles, as the team is affectionately called, have been in a mean mood in the run to the semi-finals. Matebele have been the David of this season's FA Cup and their stone has seen the fall of a number of Goliaths along the way. In the last round of 32, Matebele eliminated Premier League side, Prisons XI, before defeating TAFIC to reach the quarterfinals of the competition.
Their biggest test thus far came in the last eight as they were pitted against former league champions, Jwaneng Galaxy. The tie ended 0-0 in regulation and the Kgatleng-based side eliminated Galaxy 3-1 after a penalty shootout. Ahead of tomorrow evening’s tie, there is some extra ounce of confidence at the Nest grounds. In their ranks, the team has among others, former Zebras’ defender, Obonye Moswate, former Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ shot-stopper, Neo Kenalemang and Extension Gunners’ duo of Monageng Thaele and Bonno Mosea.
The latter is the team’s captain. Striker, Thatayaone Nkwapa is the second-best tournament scorer with four goals and could pose a serious threat to the GU defence. The Reds, on the other hand, will be feeling like they are entering a familiar territory as they have faced minnows throughout their cup run. In the last round of 32, GU eased past second-tier league side, Motaung Young Fighters with a 6-1 score line before eliminating yet another First Division side, Calendar Stars 5-0 in the last round of 16. Moyagoleele met an opponent of their weight in the quarterfinals and ran out 2-1 winners over Police XI.
Thirteen goals in the three games thus far is an ominous sign, surely there are goals in the GU team and Matebele should be worried. Kekaetswe Moloi and Thero Setsile are among the top scorers with three goals in the competition. The Orange FA Cup semi-finals will be a double-header tie. In the other semi-final, Security Systems and BDF XI will meet at 3pm.