10 Dec 2017

Obonwe Maome was the key player who took his team to the Mascom Top 8 semi-finals by scoring five goals against Extension Gunners.

He scored two goals in the first leg and a hat trick in the second leg.

Gaborone United beat Extension Gunners 3-2 in the  second leg at the Francistown Sports Complex on December 9.

Gaborone United are through to the semi-finals with an aggregate score of 6-2 against Extension Gunners.

GU went into the game with an upper hand following a 3-0 score line from the first leg.

United started looking to increase their score margin, although they started the game calmly searching for an opportunity to score.

United’s Tumisang Orebonye was the first to test Gunners goalkeeper in the eighth minute, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper, Katlego Mbise.

Gunners  also looked determined and created several scoring opportunities but failed to utilise them.

Gunners’ Kenanao Kgetholetsile had two clear scoring opportunities but failed to convert in the first half.

In the 34th minute of the first half, Gunners’ Mmoloki Kebalepile sustained an injury and they were left with 10 men in the pitch.

Gaborone United capitalised and attacked Gunners as they waited to make a substitution.

They were answered when Maome scored the first goal in the 34th minute to make it 1-0 Gunners then managed to make their substitution and introduced Ronald Olaki.

Just before the end of the first half, Gaborone United was awarded a free kick after Gunners goalkeeper held the ball outside the penalty mark.

The free kick was taken by Maome and he extended their lead to 2-0.

The game went to the first half break with Gaborone United leading 2-0.

In the early stages of the second half, Extension Gunners made two double substitutions by taking out Kgetholetsile and Thabiso Mabhachi and replacing them with Emmanuel Sekwena and Thabo Methayotlhe respectively.

Gunners managed to pull one back within 10 minutes of the second half through Olaki.

The goal gave Gunners hope and they continued attacking.

They managed to score the second goal after 20 minutes through Methayotlhe to level the score, but the aggregate score remained 2-5 in favour of Gaborone United.

Extension Gunners had to score four goals to win and proceed to the next stage of the competition.

Gaborone United were awarded a penalty after 30 minutes of the second half and Maome converted to register his first hat trick of the season.

Gaborone United then replaced Orebonye with Boipelo Oaitse while Thatayaone Kgamanyane replaced Arnold Mampori.

Maome was also replaced by Alfred Velaphi toward the end of the game.

The game ended 3-2 score and 6-2 in aggregate in favour of Gaborone United. Maome was voted man of the match.

Extension Gunners head coach, Itumeleng Duiker said they tried but failed to overcome the scoreline.

Duiker said his team created several scoring opportunities but failed to convert them.

He said the failure to convert chances was their main challenge, but that “we will look into it.”

He also said it was a learning curve to compete in the prestigious competition.

He added that his team played well and that it was his first time to participate in the competition,

For his part, Gaborone United head coach, Rodolfo Zapata appreciated and thanked his team for the win and making it through to the next stage of the competition. ENDS