the monitor

I am ready to lead GU - Moloi

Pontsho Moloi PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Pontsho Moloi PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

FRANCISTOWN: Pontsho Moloi has brushed aside questions around his ability to coach a club of Gaborone United's (GU) stature. Moloi was appointed GU substantive coach two weeks ago replacing Benny Kgomela.

Prior to that, Moloi played the role of assistant coach for the club. He has so far presided over two games, a league clash and an FA cup match. He lost in the league category but won the last 32 FA Cup 4-2 on penalties on Saturday.

Both clashes were against Eleven Angels. There have been questions around Moloi’s ability to deal with pressure associated with coaching GU. There is a swelling opinion that he is still learning the ropes and was rushed into the head coach role but the youthful mentor remains unfazed about such concerns. “People will always have their opinion.

Let them talk. I coached other clubs before I came to GU. I trust my abilities. I can handle the pressure that comes with coaching GU,” a composed Moloi said after the weekend FA Cup clash. Moyagoleele were all over Angels on Saturday.

They starved the hosts the ball. The only undoing for GU was that the amount of possession they enjoyed did not tally with the opportunities they created. In fact, they only had four notable scoring opportunities in the match.

Moloi had dropped several regulars among them defender Kennedy Amutenya and Lebogang Ditsele who were very erratic during the 1-0 league loss to Angels a week ago.

The visitors could have had the opener in the 29th minute through the man of the match Obonwe Maome but his well-executed shot of was parried away for a corner by Emmanuel Keiditswe who was one of several changes made by Angels from the previous match.

Thatayaone Kgamanyane missed an opportunity to gift GU the lead in the 41st minute when he failed to connect with Maome’s cross from right. For the whole of the first half Angels looked lost and disjointed.

They tried the counter attacking approach they applied in their previous match but their transition was very poor. GU continued dominating the game after the break and substitute Onkabetse Mankgantai could have given the host the lead in the 70th when his well curled ball was tipped over the bar.

Angels continued with their defending in the second stanza of the match and appeared to be content with taking the match to penalties. During the referee’s optional, Ronny Leagetse’s heroic efforts denied GU the much-needed goal.

He blocked Maome’s goal destined shot. Moloi made a shock substitution when he replaced goalie Goitseone Phoko with Ookeditse Semelamela during stoppage time.

The move paid dividends as the latter saved two penalties to grant United the much needed victory. Leagetse and Fungai Muzila missed their penalties while Kgamanyane missed for GU.

The teams: Angels: Emmanuel Keiditswe, Fungai Muzila, Ofentse Ntesang, Marcus Maokaneng, Shanganani Ngada, Ronny Leagetse, Onneile Seabelo (Tebogo Ishmael), Kudzani Sibanda (Patrick Jackalas), Tlotlo Kgaolo (Tefo Batlang), Eric Ookame, Bakang Mpatane

GU: Goitseone Phoko (Ookeditse Semelamela, Obonwe Maome, Alford Velaphi , Mothusi Johnson, Tshepo Maikano, Mothusi Cooper, Duncan Otieno, Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Gape Thibedi (Mankgantai), Thero Setsile ( Karabo Phiri), Sizwe Thalwa (Tshepo Malgas)

Eleven Angels 0 (2) Gaborone United 0 (4)

Editor's Comment
A step in the right direction

It has only been a month since the newly elected government, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), took power, and there are already a lot of changes. Across different ministries, ministers are hard at work. Following heavy rainfall and storms that hit Francistown recently, the Minister of State Presidency, Moeti Mohwasa, made a commitment that government will assist those affected by the heavy rains. Mohwasa, when addressing the media in...

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