Departing Setsile Hands Galaxy Advantage
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday January 28, 2019 14:57
The attacker, who is set to join TS Galaxy in the South African second tier league, gave the fans a perfect farewell gift and was deservedly adjudged the man-of-the-match.
The home side showed their intentions as early as the first minute. The team kept a lion’s share of possession, but could not break a resilient BDF XI defence. Against the run of play, the visitors had the first shot at goal as Moatlhodi Ralesotla pulled one from just outside the box, but Ezekiel Morake made a save in the 22nd minute.
In a half of limited goal scoring opportunities, at the other end, Setsile tried Tumiso Mashakola from outside the box, but he was up to task in the 33rd minute. Galaxy’s coach Miguel da Costa went for more attacking options as he sacrificed full back Moagi Sechele for striker Tebogo Sembowa midway through the first half.
The change sparked urgency in the team going forward, but the visitors remained resolute. With a minute to the break, Lovemore Bogatsu did well to beat his marker inside the Galaxy half, but was let down by his final delivery as the teams went into the break level at 0-0.
Just three minutes into the second half, Patrick Kaunda was superbly denied by Mashakola as Galaxy showed more attacking intent. In the 55th minute, Galaxy’s move ended with a volley by Setsile that left the keeper untroubled. The home side finally got the breakthrough after 58 minutes as Setsile rounded off an exciting move by Galaxy with a well-placed shot to the right corner.
Two minutes later, the winger was released by Olebogeng Malebye, and in a one-on-one with the keeper, he inexcusably shot wide with a low shot. The visitors tried to salvage a draw away from home, but it proved to be a little too late as Galaxy emerged 1-0 victors.
“Our first half was not good. We did not play good football. But we came into the second half a completely different side.
We had five clear chances in front of goal, but we scored one. The most important thing is that we did not concede at home, which is crucial in a (two-legged) cup game,” da Costa said after the match.
His BDF XI counterpart, Louis Setshwane was impressed despite the loss as he said he is confident his side will overturn the deficit in the second leg. “Our plan worked well in the first half, we nearly frustrated them, (if) only we had scored one of our chances. But we seriously lack confidence, looking at the passes that we gave away. They were very comfortable but playing at home, we will be more in control. Home games are different from away games,” he said.
The Teams
Galaxy: Ezekiel Morake, Isaac Paeye, Moagi Sechele (Tebogo Sembowa), Fortune Thulare (Thabo Leinanyane), Thato Kebue, Lebogang Ditsile, Gilbert Baruti, Olebogeng Malebye, Patrick Kaunda, Atisang Batsi (Karabo Phiri), Thero Setsile
BDF: Tumiso Mashakola, Pelontle Lerole, Onthusitse Mpharitlhe, Thabiso Khunwane, Onkabetse Seforo, Moagi Mokomeng, Lovemore Bogatsu (Botsalo Oatlhotse), Phenyo Serameng (Tumisang Pule), Moatlhodi Ralesota (Rashid Mandawa), Mgcini Sibanda, Keeagile Kobe
Caution: Kebue
Galaxy (0) 1 (Setsile 58th)
BDF XI 0