17 Jan 2016

Orapa United earned maximum points on Saturday January 16 when Ronald Chikomo, the Zimbabwean hitman came back to dole out revenge on his former team, Gaborone United, with the only goal of the game.

In a beMOBILE premiership game played at the Molepolole Sports Complex, GU must be ruing all the missed chances as they outplayed Orapa United throughout the game, only to be stunned by Chikomo just two minutes before the break.

The Ostriches coach, Madinda Ndlovu indicated in the post-match interview that what Chikomo did was just what he expected.

“When a player faces his former team there are two things you have to consider as a coach, you either leave him out and break his spirit or start him to lift his morale. 

I knew that Chikomo would want revenge against his former team hence the decision to include him in the starting lineup, and he did just what I expected,” said the veteran coach.

Ndlovu also revealed that unlike in their first round game against their opponent, this time around it was difficult to plan for GU as they have new players and they did not know their coach.

“When you plan for your opponent you have to know their players, which makes easier to guess who they are likely to start with, and that makes planning more easy. This time around we did not even know who their coach will be and what his philosophy will be,” he said.

He therefore said they resorted to containing them in the first half until they get an idea of their playing style before unlocking them in the second half. Indeed Orapa United sat back most of the first half, with GU enjoying a lion’s share of the possession and controlling the midfield at will. Former Orapa United striker, Hendrick Moyo was having a good display on the right wing.

Despite the dominance, Orapa United shot-stopper, Mosimanegape Robert was hardly challenged in goals. The first half seemed headed for a stalemate until GU defence was caught off guard by Chikomo who received a pass and flicked over an off the line Michael Pepukani in GU goals.

After the break, Orapa United were awarded a penalty after a foul in the box, but in the absence of penalty specialist Thabang Sesinyi who was still on the bench, Patrick Lenyeletse stepped forward only to be denied by Pepukani to keep GU in the game.

After the game, GU interim coach George Mogopodi said he was happy with the performance of his team despite the loss.

“All the time that I have been with the boys they have shown commitment and a will to win. That goal was just a minor error by the defence, and it is nothing that we cannot correct,” he said. 

GU also handed the premiership’s top goal scorer, Moatlhodi Ralesota his debut after snatching him from his childhood team, Green Lovers of Serowe.

The result means that GU are still rooted on seventh spot while Orapa United kept breathing fire in the neck of log leaders, Township Rollers. Ends