22 May 2017

Gaborone United’s nimble right winger Kabelo Seakanyeng’s two first half strikes have put paid to Jwaneng Galaxy’s chances of lifting the BTC Premiership cup after hardly two years of promotion to the elite league.

The skillful attacking midfielder who looked dangerous on the ball, used pace and youth to launch attacks on the somewhat aging Galaxy last line of defence.

He weaselled into the final third and scored his first goal sandwiched by two Galaxy defenders to put his team on the lead, and scored a rebound a little before recess which never gave them a chance to get back on their feet again.

In a post-match interview, Seakanyeng  said their plan was to sit back and catch their opponents on a counter.

Seakanyeng said they knew that their opponents were slow on the rear guard and thus used speed and agility to put the game out of their reach.

His class act also denied soccer lovers an opportunity to watch what was without a shadow of doubt going to become the the best for last championship decider between Rollers and Galaxy this weekend.

But GU’s 3-1 win not only increased their chances of finishing within the top eight bracket, but also paved the way for  their cross-town rivals, Township Rollers and defending  champions, whose fate hanged on the match to defend their title.

Galaxy on the other hand came to the berth with 58 points and two points behind eventual title winners, but if they knew what they know now, Mike Sithole’s boys should never have settled for a draw mid-week with third placed Orapa United to avoid having to play under duress.

They were the first to open the score chart in the very first moments of the game through Thabang Sesinyi, but GU came from behind to equalise through Tumisang Orebonye and netted twice a little later courtesy of Seakanyeng to put the title which had by all intends and purposes looked so near so far.

GU sat back most of the time and waited to catch Galaxy whose transition was suspect on a counter. The introduction of Gilbert Baruti, a feared ball player for Galaxy top goalscorer Thero Setsile in the second half  gave the team shape in the middle, but they lacked the urgency to convert some chances that ensued into goals.

Meanwhile, Sithole who seemed to have accepted his fate before the last whistle, said his boys did not have enough time to train and work out strategies mid-week. He said the boys had to travel to Orapa and back mid-week which had a bearing on their game plan.

GU coach, Rodolf Zapata on the other hand was pleased that his boys acquitted themselves well during the game.

He said he made the most of the fact that a good number of his players like Seakanyeng, Orebonye, Obonwe Maome, Karabo Phiri, Thatayaone Ditlholwe and keeper Goitseone Phoko were in the prime of their youth. He said his game plan was to use the exuberance of the youth to attack and defend. They are now on fifth position with 43 points. ENDS