Seleka Stuns GU As Gunners Return To winning Ways
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday December 12, 2016 15:39
The Reds came into the game with much confidence after their win over Miscellaneous in the midweek while Gunners looked to return to winning ways after a 2-0 loss to Township Rollers. With a minute into the game, Gunners survived an injury scare as their goalkeeper went down, forcing the game to be stopped for seven minutes.
For the first 20 minutes, there were no clear goal scoring attempts but GU looked the better team though they failed to break a resilient Gunners defence. In the 30th minute, Karabo Phiri delivered a telling cross into the box for Tumisang Orebonye whose header went straight into Pepukani’s hands.
Two minutes before the break, GU broke away when Mpho Kgaswane laid a ball for Obonwe Maome whose low drive was well collected by Pepukani. The teams went into the break level at 0-0.
At the start of the second half Guna-Guna looked to have upped their game, trying to put the coach’s instructions into practice. They were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box after Godwin Bonsu brought down Mandla Mgadla, however Otlantshekela Mooketsi failed to hit the target with his curling shot.
With 10 minutes to time, Thabo Metlhayotlhe beat two defenders with speed but his shot sailed over the bar. With the game seemingly looking to end level, the ball fell into Seleka’s path after a scramble in the box, the defender tapped-in to give his team the lead in the 88th minute.
Two minutes into the referee’s additional time, Pepukani made a double save, parrying away Thato Ogopotse’s initial shot and rose to his feet to deny Hendrick Moyo from close range.
“I was let down by the midfield’s distribution. We did not create and that is where we were lacking. My defence was okay and I think they deserve all the credit not me,” Gunners’ coach, Daniel Nare said after the game.
His counterpart at GU, Rodolfo Zapata who looked uninterested to give interviews was lost for words but applauded his team for their efforts. “I know why we lost the game, I will not say it. We just need to keep on working and we have young group of players. We need to improve because nobody likes to lose,” he said.
The line-ups:
GU: Goitseone Phoko, Jackson Lesole (Moatlhodi Ralesotla), Karabo Phiri, Tshepo Maikano, Godwin Bonsu, Alphonse Modisaotsile, Obonwe Maome (Kabelo Seakanyeng), Thato Ogopotse, Tumisang Orebonye, Botshelo Lerato (Hendrick Moyo), Mpho Kgaswane
Gunners: Michael Pepukani, Mmoloki Kebalepile, Otlaantshekela Mooketsi, Leteng Legopelo, Desire Bafana, Wadza Seleka, Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Emmanuel Machinya(Mandla Mgadla), Thabo Metlhayotlhe(Boitshoko Zikhale), Thabiso Mabachi (Daniel Mogapi), Kgololo Kgogobi
Cautions: Bonsu, Mgadla, Mpolokang