They will play their first ever continental competition after league champions, Gaborone United beat Matebele in the other semifinal. Since GU have already qualified for the CAF Champions League after winning the league championship, Systems will take the CAF Confederation Cup spot regardless of the outcome of the final match scheduled for Saturday. Speaking after the match, Systems’ coach, Kaelo ‘Wire’ Kaelo said it was not an easy task as they had to wait for two weeks with no action for the Orange FA Cup semi-final tie. “I am employed by footballers and I am working for people who are affiliated to footballers. That question I will not answer because if I critic the situation I may be seen not to be in good line.
But it was not easy because all the teams in exception of the four in the semi finals have closed for the season. I could not ask GU for a friendly; I could not ask BDF for a friendly either. It was a difficult game.
The intensity of the game, we were putting more strain on the muscles,” Kaelo said. Systems started the tie on a high note, looking the better of the two sides early on. However, they went a goal down on the 23rd minute with Thabo Metlhayotlhe giving BDF XI the lead. The Alarm Boys, in search for an equalizer, played some neat short passes and on the 38th minute, Thato Ogopotse skied his effort from just outside the box. BDF held a 1-0 lead to the halftime break. At the start of the second half, Systems remained the better of the two sides. They introduced Kenanao Kgetholetsile and started floating crosses into the box but to no avail.
BDF’s defence eventually leaked on the 64th minute when Ogopotse tucked in from inside the box. BDF XI were reduced to a man down on the 72nd minute when Pelontle Lerole brought down Letlhogonolo Chenjela inside the box. The defender was shown a second yellow card and the referee awarded the Alarm Boys a penalty. Ogopotse stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2-1 for Systems. Six minutes later, substitute Letsile Montsho shot straight into goalkeeper’s hands. With five minutes to time, Kitso Mangolo with a lowly taken free kick, found Montsho and the latter's shot went over the bar. The Alarm Boys held on to book their maiden FA Cup final spot.
The Teams:
Systems: Mwampule Masule, Dennis Montshiwa, Tebogo Kopelang, Osego Gaotewe, Kitso Mangolo, Thato Ogopotse, Morris Rusivo (Letsile Montsho), Molaodi Tlhalefang (Aobakwe Radikolana), Letlhogonolo Chenjela, Tawana Mbakile (Poloko Nkalolang), Takunda Sadiki (Kenanao Kgetholetsile)
BDF XI: Kagiso Matlou, Gaamangwe Thabe, Onkabetse Serofo, Onkgolotse Tsimako, Kabo Ngongorego, Mogotsi Modise, Pelontle Lerole, Godiraone Modingwane (Tefo Modingwane), Thabo Metlhayotlhe (Oratile Taunyane) Odirile Kananyo (Tumisang Pule), Godfrey Tauyatsalwa Cautions: Lerole, Thabe, Gaotewe Dismissal: Lerole
Systems 2 (Ogopotse 64th, 72nd pen) BDF 1 (Metlhayotlhe 23rd)
