Ramoreboli confident of eliminating Pirates
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday September 18, 2023 12:19
It was the Galaxy Stars’ first win against the Buccaneers in three meetings. After the game, Ramoreboli admitted that the away tie will be much tougher but his side will get the job done. “We are not in this stage for the first time. We know the challenges and the pressure we face playing away.
We will always try our level best to give it our all in every opportunity we get. Going away to play Pirates is not going to be easy. We will do our best and make sure we get the result we want,” Ramoreboli said. The home side asserted themselves early in the tie as the duo of Thabang Sesinyi and Daniel Msendami looked threatening on the flanks. They, however, suffered an early blow when Omaatla Kebatho limped off with an injury and was replaced by Gift Moyo inside the first 20 minutes. The home side took the lead on the 24th minute in a well-executed counter play.
Kutlwelo Mpolokang on the flank put in a cross for Msendami who slotted through Richard Ofori’s legs to give Galaxy the lead. On the other end, Souaaibou Marou headed over the bar from close on the 31st minute. Marou came close a few minutes later but watched his attempt go widely off the post. Galaxy held a goal lead at the halftime break. Just a few minutes into the second half, Sesinyi found Moyo on the right flank but the attacker failed to control the pass as the Pirates defence recovered.
Moyo came close again on the 54th minute as he tried to round off the goalkeeper but was let down by the final ball. Galaxy grew confidence as the game progressed while Pirates looked more comfortable with the ball. Goitseone Phoko was called into action to save an attempt from Kabelo Dlamini just after hour mark. The home side thought they had opened a two-goal lead when Benson Mangolo beat Ofori at the near post but the goal was ruled out for an offside. Deon Hotto on the wing nearly caught Phoko to the near top corner but the goalkeeper was alert to parry the ball for a corner. Galaxy held on to carry a slim one goal lead ahead of the second leg to be played in two weeks. Pirates’ head coach, Jose Riviero said his side lacked the right arsenal for the game. “We did not start well. We did not bring the proper mindset and approach of what the game requires. Our level of aggression was not good enough and little by little they (Galaxy) pushed the game on their side to get more goals and win the match,” he said.
The teams: Galaxy: Goitseone Phoko, Moagi Sechele (Doctor David), Thabo Leinanyane, Fortunate Thulare, Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Benson Mangolo, Nqobizitha Masuku, Daniel Msendami (Wendell Rudath), Thabang Sesinyi, Omaatla Kebatho (Gift Moyo (Cleopas Dube)
Pirates: Richard Ofori, Thabiso Monyane (Bandile Shandu), Innocent Maela, Thapelo Xoki, Sandile Mthethwa, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, Lesedi Kapinga (Fortune Makaringe), Deon Hotto, Kabelo Dlamini, Souaaibou Marou (Beinvenu Eva Nga), Miguel Timm (Sphelo Baloni)