02 Apr 2017

Jwaneng Galaxy are this year’s Mascom Top8 Champions after beating defending champions Orapa United 4-3 in a seven goal thriller final played under flood lights at the Francistown Sports Complex on Saturday.

However, Galaxy, under the tutelage of Mascom Top8 first edition winning coach, Mike ‘Dubula’ Sithole, had to sweat it out to extra time before they could clinch the coveted P1.2 million grand prize.

Although as defending champions, Orapa United aka Ostriches, were favoured to become the first ever club to defend the cup back-to back, particularly against debutants Jwaneng Galaxy, they were simply outclassed.

The 6th edition Mascom Top 8 final, dubbed the Diamond  Derby or Debswana Derby by the media and football lovers alike because it pitted the diamond mining company teams from Orapa and Jwaneng mines against each other, was full of sparks and a marvel to watch.

The first whistle blow saw United showing their disposition to dominate, with Omaatla Kebatho leading early attacks most of which were thwarted by the Galaxy defence.

On the 17th minute, Ronald Chikomo’s beautiful shot into the back of the net nearly gave Galaxy a rude awakening, but the goal was ruled off-side.

Tebogo Sembowa, who made history on the night by becoming the only player to have ever won the cup for the fourth time but with different teams, had a tough time against United’s captain, Thabang Mosige and the heavily built Olekantse Mambo.

The first half ended goalless but immediately when the second half resumed, the players displayed good footballing abilities and on the 47th minute, Morris Ruzivo answered for Galaxy after receiving a brilliant cross from Christopher Musonda to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Galaxy had become more confident and stabilised in the second half as on the 61st minute, Olebogeng Malebye’s corner kick found Boitumelo ‘Navara’ Mafoko well positioned to head home his side’s second goal to change the score sheet to 2-0.

Sensing trouble, Madinada Ndlovu pulled out Patrick Lenyeletse for Lemogang Maswena and Ronald Chikomo for Khumoetsile Kufigwa and the substitute gave his team new life as on the 69th minute, Captain Thabang Mosige silenced the leading side’s excited supporters by netting his team’s first goal.

The goal boosted Orapa’s morales in that they started to attack more led by Kebatho and Tendai Nyumasi.

On the 78th minute, United’s never-die tactics delivered results as Nyumasi secured another goal for his team from a Kealeboga Molebatsi set-piece to level the scores.

Olebogeng Malebye received a controversial red card from referee, Kutlwano Leso for a purported aggressive late tackle on  Nyumasi that Sithole was to later dispute in an interview as being given to the wrong player.

Kufigwa’s upshot on the 88th minute nearly rattled the top of the net but was punched over the cross bar by Galaxy’s keeper, Anthony Gouws.

The final score at 90 minutes was 2-2 forcing the two teams to go for extra time in order to get the champion.

 Extra time delivered more attacking football from both teams with United having an upper hand but being wasteful before goals.

Maswena’s celebration after thinking hehad scored the first goal of extra time was short-lived after being ruled as off-side.

However, a minute after that, the ever hard-working Musonda delivered a clean goal for his side to extend Galaxy’s lead to 3-2.

United, obviously aiming to level scores, substituted Moyo for Zebron Ndjovu just before the second half of extra time.

The second half saw the Jwaneng side’s Sesinyi and Musonda displaying sensational footballing skills much to the excitement of the fans and their good coordination led to Sembowa putting the last nail on United’s coffin before he was replaced by Peter Otema Olangi to put his side 4-2 ahead.

 Just when the masses had ruled them out, United’s Nyumasi secured his brace of the game to make the final score 4-3 in favour of Jwaneng Galaxy.

In a media interview, Galaxy’s coach, Mike Sithole said it was interesting that his charges won the game on their first debut in the tournament.

On the other side, United’s Madinda Ndlovu conceded defeat and noted that his side lost the game because they lost concentration and morale after many of their goals were ruled off-side.

Moreetsi ‘Resco’ Mosimanyana of Galaxy won Man of the Match. ENDS