Hawks defeated the Jungle Kings 1-0, courtesy of Thatayaone Nkwapa's 89th minute goal from the spot kick. Full of grit and determination, Hawks as the underdogs of the game, secured their place in semi-finals of the FA cup for the first time in their history. They are the only lower division team remaining in the last four stage of the competition. Alex Malete, who doubles as Hawks coach and the Mares coach, could not hide his excitement that his side continues to leave a mark by incessantly progressing in the cup after defeating both VTM FC and Police XI. “I am happy for the club. We keep on making history. We are doing well and I feel the players deserve it because they work very hard for it,” Malete said.
With high probability of facing high flying teams from the Premier League in the next stage, Malete stated that he does not have any ounce of pressure facing those teams. “As players and as coaches we live to play these kind of games so for us it’s okay. Whoever we play it is fine. We need to prepare like we did today (Saturday). We are making the name for ourselves so whoever comes we need to be honest and compete,” Malete confidently said. The gaffer added that he wants to end the season on a high note and collect maximum points for Hawks in the league with only three games remaining.
From the onset, Hawks did not let the underdogs title define them. They went pound for pound with the Jungle Kings. On the seventh minute, Allen Ndodole squandered a chance to put The Jungle Kings ahead after receiving the ball inside the box but he hit wide off the goalposts. Hawks thought they had taken the lead on the 28th minute through Pako Osupile but their celebrations were cut short as the linesman raised his flag for offside. Oarabile Sekwai bottled one versus one chance by shooting straight at the Hawks goalkeeper, Kabo Ntswaneng. Police had another one-on-one chance and Thabang Toko put it over the bar. Hawks subsititute, Olorato Letshwenya, nearly broke the deadlock in the second half but was denied superbly by Kamogelo Mogomotsi. Tlhalefo nearly secured the win for Police with a header but the upright came to Hawks' rescue. With a minute left before the game ended, Police conceded a penalty after Silent Kenneth was brought down inside the box. All eyes on him, Nkwapa capitalised, and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot. The penalty went on to be the only goal scored on the day.
The teams UB Hawks: Kabo Ntswaneng, Thatayaone Nkwapa, Harvey Matema (Olorato Letshwenyo), Bonno Sepako, Ishmael Metlhaleng, Katlego Koobake, Pako Osupile (Oratile Setombeko), Silent Kenneth, Thabiso Fani (Mmoloki Kgaswane), Kagiso Makaeya, Khumo Bogale
Police: Kamogelo Mogomotsi, Thabang Toko (Ogomoditswe Sitang), Bokang Sello, Tapiwa Gadibolae, Basiamisi Sebapalo, Tonderai Nyakuba, Banele Ndzabandzaba, Botshelo Mangena, Allen Ndodole, Oarabile Sekwai, Tlhalefo Molebatsi.
UB Hawks 1 (Nkwapa 89th) Police XI 0
