Before the win against Masitaoka and Nico United in the midweek, the Reds had a string of disappointing results in the league and had gone four games without registering a win. Head coach, Pontsho ‘Piro’ Moloi, believes that the recent results might be the turnaround for his side.
“It is good to be collecting points once again in the league. And if we want to stay in the race, we should aim to collect maximum points each and every game. So, a good going thus far,” he said. However, ‘Piro’ felt that his side had to dig deep in the second half as they had a lacklustre first half, posing no threat to the opponents.
“We were so depleted in the first half, we lacked the energy, we lacked mobility. We could not cause problems and we could not ask questions. We were too predictable by playing with no urgency,” he said. After a rocky first half, the gaffer was impressed with his half time substitutions as they brought what the team lacked in the first half and he felt they won him the game. “The changes I made in the recess really proved to be the right ones. That is what sometimes substitutes have to do, read the game and get proper instructions and execute the game plan.
We got the results, and we did not concede,” Moloi remarked. The only two goals for the tie against came in the second half after both teams had a bad start in the game. GU managed to break the deadlock on the 72nd minute after Masitaoka goalkeeper, Masule Masule made a blunder from Mothusi Johnson’s free kick.
He handled the ball and released it on the way of Sheikh Sesay who made no mistake. Six minutes later, GU doubled the lead from a counter attack started by Lebogang Ditsile who put in a pass for substitute, Omphile Ramogapi. He laid a pass to Molaodi ‘Danger’ Tlhalefang who tapped inside the net. Masitaoka had their chances at goal with Obakeng Ramotlhwa resorting to a long range shot but Thabo Motswagole pulled off a brilliant save. The Red machine went on to win 2-0. Meanwhile Masitaoka head coach Vincent Kgaswane did not avail himself for a post-match interview.
The teams
GU: Thabo Motswagole, Mothusi Johnson, Tshepo Maikano, Alford Velaphi Okgotso More, Lebogang Ditsile, Albert Nyamutsaka (Thabang Khuduga), Molaodi Tlhalefang (Thabang Mooketsi), Mpho Kgaswane (Karabo Phiri), Mothusi Cooper (Omphile Ramogapi), Sheikh Sesay (Ronel Manyanga)
Masitaoka: Masule Masule, Obusitswe Gabadise, Eric Tjizake, Obakeng Senono, Gabriel Vaneel, Obakeng Ramotlhwa, Boniface Ramolale (Monty Enosa), Olebogeng Ramotse, Romin Berndt (Thabo Ookeditse), Rameez Dharsey, Moabi Phuthego.
Gaborone United 2 (Sesay 72nd, Tlhalefang 78th) Masitaoka 0
