02 Oct 2014

BR Highlanders beat Mahalapye Hotspurs 3-2 in penalty shootoust after their match ended 1-1 in regulation time to clinch Mahalapye Independence day trophy and walk away with P9 000.

The match played at Mahalapye Railways Stadium started with a low tempo. The first chance of the match came courtesy of Dimakatso Lekoko of Hotspurs who had his header saved by Highlanders goalkeeper, Mpho Radimo.

BR Highlanders had their first chance late in the first half when Baitshetse Galefole’s effort was saved by Hotspurs goalkeeper Mpho Maifala after Lucky Mvundla delivered a defense splitting pass into the penalty box. The match went into recess goalless.

In the second half, BR Highlanders introduced speedy winger Otarongwa Ntumolang and the move paid dividends as BR Highlanders began pilling pressure on their opponents.

It was Otarongwa Ntumolang who provided a pass to Lucky Mvundla ten minutes into the second half and Mvundla wasted no time by slotting the ball past the Hotspurs goalkeeper.

The tempo of the match increased as the teams started attacking each other. In the last minute Hotspurs was awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty box and Tilly Sethako scored the equalizer.

The match went to penalties straight away where BR Highlanders goalkeeper Mpho Radimo saved penalties from Dimakatso Lekoko and Oageng Raditse to win the Independence Day trophy. Hotspurs walked away with P7 000.

Speaking in an interview after the match Central South Regional Football Association (CSRFA) Public Relations Officer Mr Mogonono Maseba said the tournament was organised by CSRFA and sponsored by Mahalapye Sub-District Commissioner’s office for P40 000.

“The tournament started on 20 September and 9 teams in the Mahalapye Sub-District participated with 7 teams in the lower divisions battling it out in the initial stages before they were joined by BR Highlanders and Mahalapye Hotspurs in the final stages,” he said.

Furthermore he said the third and fourth placed teams walked away with P4 000 each while the rest walked away with P2 000 each.

“The rest of the money was used to pay referees and to meet administration expenses,” he said. In total, he said eight matches were played with Matsubutsubu (From Shoshong) losing the first match 2-1 to Kalamare United (From Kalamare), Boston FC losing 3-2 to Man Machine (From Kalamare) whereas Queen’s Park Rangers defeated Tshikinyega FC 2-1.

In the next stage Mahalapye United which did not have an opponent in the first round lost 2-1 to Kalamare United and Man Machine defeated Queen’s Park Rangers 9-8 in penalties after playing to a 1 all draw.

In the semifinal stage Mahalapye Hotspurs defeated Kalamare United 4-2 whereas BR Highlanders needed a penalty shootout to see out Man Machine 4-3 after playing to a two all draw. Ends