Mpofu also said his mind was on their next game, which is the Orange FA Cup semi-final against Orapa United this weekend. “We came into this game a little bit under pressure because we are playing the semi-final next weekend,” he said. Mpofu also explained that he had to make tactical changes to save some of his regulars for the semi-final.
“I had seven players that were sitting on two yellow cards and these are first 11 eleven players, first team players that we depend on and we decided to rest them,” he revealed.
Additionally, Mpofu said he could not afford to take the risk to field his regulars as they stood a great chance of facing one match ban and miss the encounter against Orapa united.
However, Mpofu took a risk with two players, their striker Lethabo Ogotseng who was cautioned in the tie and will miss out the semi-final. But with Marius Kotze, coach Mpofu took him out before he got cautioned. The resting of regular players saw Thabo Masule and Bonniface Gagoitseope getting their first start in the campaign.
Furthermore, Mpofu said they wish to play in the final and get a silverware but feels Orapa’s results against Jwaneng Galaxy should not mean they would have an easy fixture. “On a good day with a good squad, I do not think Orapa can lose by five to any team. That is my view looking at how strong they are,” Mpofu said. Though Masitaoka rested almost all its regulars, the players that were given the chance came to the party and went pound to pound with Police XI, which had its regulars in the game.
Both teams had equal share of ball possession for most of the time. On the 21st minute, Pako Gaofose of Police XI put in a teasing cross for Betsho Pius who failed to beat Thabo Masule at the near post. Five minutes later, it was Police once more who came close to breaking the deadlock but Thabiso Boti wasted the chance by failing to connect well with the ball.
On the 30th minute, it was Masitaoka's turn but Ogotseng missed a great chance when he slipped and fell before hitting the ball. With five minutes to the half time break, Ogotseng let his side down once more after winning the battle against goalkeeper, Kamogelo Mogomotsi but his effort went wide. On the 49th minute, Marius Kotze tried his luck from afar but his shot did not trouble the goalkeeper. A few minutes later, it was Tonderai Nyakuba who went for a powerful shot on the edge of the box but his effort went narrowly wide.
The teams:
Police XI: Kamogelo Mogomotsi, Betsho Pius, Chicco Molefe, Letsweletse Leririma, Tapiwa Gadibolae (Nerville Mushe), Larona Modisaemang, Thabiso Boti (Karabo Kelatlhilwe), Kagiso Dithebe, Pako Gaofose (Mokgweetsi Moroka), Botshelo Mangena, Tonderai Nyakuba Masitaoka: Thabo Masule, Moloi Thuto, Obusitswe Gabadise, Eric Tjizake, Gabriel Vanneel, Marius Kotze (Obakeng Ramotlhwa), Bonniface Gagoitseope, Itumeleng Salani (Kutlo Molelowamodimo), Moabi Phuthego (Tlhago Ratshukudu), Lethabo Ogotseng (Christopher Lemme), Brine Mankaukau (Bakang Tsholang).
Police XI 0 Masitaoka 0
