24 Oct 2016

A solitary goal by Patrick Lenyeletse nine minutes after half time earned Orapa United three valuable points against the seemingly determined Gaborone United.
In a slow tempo game played at the Molepolole Sports Complex on Saturday, Lenyeletse made an easy tap-in at the far post after GU’s entire defence failed to clear what appeared an easy cross from the right wing.
The speedy striker broke the dead lock in a game that appeared destined for a goalless draw, just like many before it since the BTC premiership started about three weeks ago. 
The game lacked the pedigree that usually comes along when big teams face each other. 
Even though GU jelled better than the Ostriches in the middle of the park, there was nothing much throughout the game to put fans on edge.
Despite losing the valuable points, Moya Goleele’s coach, Rudolfo Zaparta indicated that he was happy with the way his players performed.
 “It was a very good game and both teams played well like big teams. The game was tense and there was no room for any of the teams to make any mistake and that is why we got punished as soon as we made one,” he said.
Zaparta blamed the mid-week preparations for his team’s loss saying that they did not prepare adequately, but he promised to put up a better performance against in their next game against Nico United.
On the other side, Orapa United gaffer, Madinda Ndlovu blamed the poor performance on the heat, saying that both teams could have played better under cooler conditions.
“I think players of both teams did well under the prevailing conditions,” he said, admitting that they were lucky to have scored against Gaborone United.
“We sat back a little in the first half but became more offensive in the second half to try and catch them on counter attacks, but they remained solid at the back,” he said.
After their midweek 0-0 draw with Jwaneng Galaxy at Jwaneng, Orapa United did not return to Orapa, but camped down south awaiting their fixture with GU, something that Ndlovu said paid dividends.
“Travelling to Orapa and then back for this game would have been exhausting, so we found it better to camp this side and secure a training ground. This paid dividends because my players were rested. It also made financial sense to camp here rather than travel back,” he said.
Ndlovu said that they would now shift focus from the BTC Premiership to the Mascom Top 8 where they will face neighbours, Miscellaneous at the Itekeng Stadium next Saturday. 
Orapa United was recently forced to come back from behind to wallop Miscellaneous 4-1 at the same venue. ENDS