09 Sep 2015

Two goals from Thabang Sesinyi and one from Patrick Lenyeletse gave Orapa United a 3-1 win over Extension Gunners at Itekeng stadium in Orapa on Tuesday (September 8) night. Extension Gunners dominated the first few minutes of the first half as they took the game to United. 

Mogomotsi Mokoka and Mosimanegape Ntwaetsile were linking up well in the left flank and in their first attempt, Ntwaetsile fed Mokoka with a brilliant pass, but his effort went wide. The pace of Gunners fcaused real trouble for the Ostriches. Gunners were well on top, but United checked the momentum with a powerful long-range strike from Patrick Lenyeletse on the 16th minute finishing a terrific team move. 

Ntwaetsile equalised there after. United strikers were swarming all over the visitors who were not being given any time on the ball and were forced into basic errors by pressing them hard.

For all United’s fluid attacking playing though, their coach Madinda Ndlovu felt he needed second goal sooner rather than later. It eventually came on 35^th minute when Thabang Sesinyi slipped past his man in the area before slotting home. Madinda’s side enjoyed plenty of possession as they showed determination and quality when going forward.

The visiting team tried to move the ball intelligently during the closing stages of the first half, but were let down too often by inaccurate final balls. United’s captain, Thabang Mosige kept the on form Moemedi Moatlhaping quiet not letting him to have more balls. 

On one hand, Amos Godirwang produced a hardworking and powerful display in the middle providing Gunners attack with quick and physical focal point. 

The game went into recess with the hosts leading 2-1. The Ostriches started the second half brightly as they took the game to Gunners. In the 47th minute, Gunners found themselves behind the Ostriches defenders on the left, but a cut-back for Monageng Thaele saw the striker shoot on goal crucially blocked by Kealeboga Molebatsi.

Mosimanegape Robert kept out a long range strike from Mokoka and then saw Kemmy Pilato blast over the crossbar. Orapa United made forced substitute as Simon Mooketsi Hlabano suffered an ankle injury and was rushed to the hospital. 

Simon Mashadza filled his position very well and put moment of brilliance in defence.

The visitors also introduced the hardworking former Letlapeng Tshogofatso Chimuku and Emmanuel Machinya for Thaele and Mokoka respectively. With Chimuku and Machinya now on the field, Gunners changed into a more counter attacking shape as they were chasing for an equaliser.

Kabo Mungabe was nearly caught flat-footed as Machinya robbed him off the ball on the edge of the box, but after advancing into the penalty area, he only weakly shoot across goal and his shot was parried away by Robert.

Towards the end of the second half, Lenyeletse received the ball from Fraiser on the right and worked the ball onto his left before whipping in a cross that the unmarked Sesinyi lit up the evening with a superb finish on 86^th minute to earn his brace of the evening. Chikomo received a red card in referee’s optional time after two bookable offences.

Extension Gunners assistant coach Oupa Kowa said overall they did not play their usually game.

“Orapa had a better overall game plan; they had more numbers upfront, but we can say it is our first loss and we have more games to plan for; credit must go to Orapa,” he said.

For his part, the Orapa United head coach, Madinda Ndlovu said it was difficult game, they knew Gunners were fast paced. He further said they planned for them by working on how to deal with power play and by bringing in two guys who could be top strikers to midfielders because they needed that experience and put a young boy who has pace and the results paid off. Ends