Galaxy accuse GU of abuse
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday May 6, 2024 16:00
The two teams had played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time and Galaxy won 13-12 in the shootout in a game played at the Dinaledi Football Academy Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It got heated on and off the field during the penalty shootout and GU’s president, Nicholas Zakhem, had an altercation with the Galaxy’s technical bench. The two camps clashed in two separate incidents after the referee ordered retakes on Thabang Khuduga of GU and Daniel Msendami of Galaxy's penalty kicks. The two players had their kicks saved by the respective goalkeepers.
However they converted the retakes. On both occasions, Zakhem and the Galaxy bench were seen exchanging words near the latter’s technical camp. Ramoreboli was, however, coy with details when quizzed by the journalists in a post match interview. “Can I not comment on it, please. As much as I am emotional, I think some incidents really need us to behave in a professional way especially looking at the positions we are holding. If I am a head coach and insulting the opposition’s bench, it is not good. If I am a chairman and I am insulting the bench of the other team, it is not right,” Ramoreboli said. The South African gaffer further said they would seek some level of reprimand on the incidents. “I think these are lessons, sometimes we come here under the influence and sometimes we come here way too excited and end up doing things that tomorrow when you are asked, you are not proud of. I do not really want to go deeper into it. I think the club (Galaxy) will deal with it because I really think we were abused which is not good,” said Ramoreboli.
It was, however, a tightly contested tie as the Galaxy Stars advanced to the last four in the competition. Molaodi Tlhalefang had given GU the lead with a strike to Goitseone Phoko’s bottom right corner on the 21st minute. Galaxy levelled the matters on the last minute of referee’s three additional minutes, courtesy of a beautiful curler by Daniel Msendami. It was level at 1-1 at half time. It was a tighter opening to the second half as the two keepers were hardly tested on the afternoon. Thero Setsile had his lowly driven shot saved by the keeper on the hour mark while Phoko had to come off his area to deny Mpho Kgaswane. Tatenda Gora nearly bagged the winner late on but Phoko was once again up to the task. Phoko denied GU skipper from spot with GU’s 13th kick and substitute, Gilbert Baruti, made no mistake from the spot to send substitute keeper, Ookeditse Semelamela, the wrong way. Galaxy will take on minnows, UB Hawks in the semi finals while Orapa United has been drawn against TAFIC.
The teams
GU: Thabo Motswagole (Ookeditse Semelamela), Alphord Velaphi, Tshepo Maikano, Tatenda Gora, Mothusi Johnson, Lebogang Ditsele, Mothusi Cooper (Poloko Nkalolang), Mpho Kgaswane, Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Molaodi Tlhalefang, Sheikh Sesay (Thabang Khuduga) Galaxy: Goitseone Phoko, Moagi Sechele, Thabo Leinanyane, Lesego Kereedilwe, Tlamelo Kolagano, Nqobizitha Masuku (Mxolisi Mkhonto), Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Thabang Sesinyi, Wendell Rudath (Gilbert Baruti), Daniel Msendami, Thero Setsile Cautions: Moloi, Mpolokang, Motswagole, Masuku
GU 12 (1) ( Tlhalefang Galaxy 13 (1)