GU handcuff Systems to stay top
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday February 6, 2023 16:43
Jwaneng Galaxy had temporarily occupied the top spot after their Saturday victory over Morupule Wanderers.
However, GU found the back of the net three times yesterday against The Alarm Boys and returned to their favourite position, thanks to goals from Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Thero Setsile and Karabo Phiri.
Kgamayane opened the scoring in the fifth minute, after comfortably finishing a brilliant move by the defending champions. Twenty minutes into the game, Systems thought they had grabbed an equaliser but GU goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko unbelievably made a double save denying both Thato Ogopotse and Molaodi Tlhalefang.
Instead, it was GU who doubled the lead in the 30th minute with Setsile capitalising on Systems’ failure to make a decisive clearance at the back. The defending champions looked dangerous when going forward with Mpho Kgaswane, Setsile and Kgamanyane giving Systems a hard time with their movement on and off the ball.
GU went into the half time break carrying a two-goal lead. At the start of the second half, Security Systems made three substitutions with Tlhalefang, Morris Ruzivo and Takunda Sadiki making way for Poloko Nkalolang, Letlhogonolo Chenjela and Tawana Mbakile.
In the first few minutes of the second half, Systems looked the better side and took the game to GU. They were however let down by their poor decision making in the final third. GU increased the lead in the 79th minute through substitute, Phiri, whose goal put the game beyond Systems’ reach. Two minutes later, Tshepo Maikano cleared the ball of the line with goalkeeper, Phoko well beaten. The victory saw GU restore the two-point lead at the top between them and closest title rivals, Galaxy.
The teams: Gaborone United: Goitseone Phoko, Alford Velaphi, Kennedy Amutenya, Tshepo Maikano, Mothusi Johnson, Duncan Otieno (Gape Thibedi), Lebogang Ditsele, Thatayaone Kgamanyane (Obonwe Maome), Mpho Kgaswane (Tshepo Malgas), Thero Setsile (Ronel Manyanga), John Makwata (Karabo Phiri)
Security Systems: Michael Masule, Aobakwe Radikolana, Daniel Montshiwa, Tebogo Kopelang, Bophelo Macheng, Walter Sande, Takunda Sadiki (Letlhogonolo Chenjela), Thato Ogopotse (Bokang Radithipana), Molaodi Tlhalefang (Poloko Nkalolang), Morris Ruzivo (Tawana Mbakile), Odirile Lekoba (Tshepo Keselebale)
GU 3 (Kgamanyane 5th, Setsile 30th), Phiri 79th)