11 Aug 2015

Thabang Sesinyi scored the only goal as Orapa united beat FC Satmos to win their first home game of the beMOBILE premiership, at Itekeng stadium in Orapa on Friday night (August 7).

Orapa United had the better of the early chances as they pushed forward through their new signing Bonolo Fraiser from the defending champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs, but the prolific striker’s effort was not clinical in front of the goal.

The home side enjoyed the first half in front of their fully packed supporters as they continued to press and came close when the former BDF XI captain Mokgathi Mokgathi unleashed low shot which was shot stopped by the new signing goalkeeper of Satmos Ogopotse Tshule.

Satmos had their chance in some few minutes after United’s attempt through Tshepang Manabalala whose effort was parried by Mosimanegape Robert. The Cheetahs had a quieter game as they were playing defensive game trying to catch the Ostriches on counter attack thus leave United dominating the middle field.

The frustration of not going forward by the visiting team saw the captain Gaotwesepe Legoreng cautioned on the 31st minute for kicking the ball in the net, claiming he had not heard the whistle for offside. Before the recess, Fraser had the best chance of the game as he exchanged some good touches with the captain Patrick Motsepe and once again Tshule made a smart save.

Motsepe got the yellow card after losing the ball in the centre half and tackled Etane Badili. The game went on half time with no team finding the back of the net.

The Ostriches came back strongly as they introduced Thabang Sesinyi in Mokgathi’s position and Lovemore Murirwa for Lenyeletse who had a quiet game with only two shots on goal.

The visiting team made their substitutes as well, bringing in Manabalala for Thato Ganetsang and Mpoeleng for Bokamoso Digwere. Sesinyi and Lemogang Maswena enjoyed some half chances in the centre forward of the second period and made the goalkeeper of Satmos sweat as the shots were often targeted straight at him but the young shot stopper was more than equal to the task as he remained calm.

The day was not for the Cheetahs as Onalenna Moalosi was red carded for rough play. Maswena almost punished the visitors as he had great opportunity to open the score sheet as United broke in numbers, but the former Notwane utility player failed to find either of his teammates with a poor pass.

Satmos tried to push forward with lone striker but the defence of the Ostriches were up to the task while the untested goalkeeper of the season Robert was on holiday. Sesinyi finally broke the deadlock shortly after being introduced as he drove his strike hard and low to the net and scored premiership debut goal for the Ostriches.

The former Sankoyo Bush Bucks won the heart of the supporters of the Ostriches with impressive, exceptional technique and skill. However, the visitors pressed forward through their captain and found the substitute Digwere who was unable to take advantage as he ignored and then mishandled two promising balls from the right wing.

The two teams made their last substitutes as United introduced their captain Thabang Mosige and pulled out the vice-captain Motsepe to hold the balls in the middle to keep up the position while the Cheetahs substituted Etane Badili for Nno Sebolayanoga but that was late for the Cheetahs as the game was almost over from full time.

In an interview, Orapa united acting assistant coach Otsile Koolese said since this was the first game of the season, obviously they will struggle a bit but he was delighted with 3 points and his goalkeeper kept clean sheet which ensured there was no way of losing and they are looking forward for the next game which is away against BDF XI.

United had to shift their technical team as their new head coach Madinda Ndlovu’s work permit is still not yet out. Efforts to speak to the technical team of FC Satmos were not fruitful. ENDS