22 Jan 2018

Gaborone United coach, Rodolfo Zapata says the team played ‘amazing offensive football’ in their 6-2 drubbing of Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the BTC Premiership encounter on Saturday.

Tumisang Orebonye and Thatayaone Kgamanyane plundered two goals each at Molepolole Sports Complex with Dirang Moloi also finding the net against his former team as Moyagoleele enjoyed their biggest victory of the Zapata reign, which begun in February 2016.

Orebonye collected the ball behind the Chiefs defence and opened the floodgates from a narrow angle in the 25th minute.

Chiefs, which was the better side in the opening 20 minutes then lost control as Moyagoleele imposed their trademark short passing style patiently introduced by their Argentine coach.  

Tshepo Maikano and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe wasted opportunities to double the lead from free-kick deliveries, but Orebonye accepted that invitation in the 38th-minute.

The on-form marksman planted a firm header from a Maikano cross past Noah Maposa for his 12th goal of the campaign.

It was 3-0 three minutes later when an attempted pass from Orebonye to Moloi was diverted into the net by Magosi midfielder Lawrence Majawa.

Lesego Lubinda pulled one back for Chiefs on the stroke of halftime, firing a free-kick past goalkeeper Ookeditse Semelamela.

Kgamanyane ballooned an inviting opportunity three minutes into the second half after dribbling past several Chiefs defenders while Thatayaone Ramatlapeng fired straight at Semelamela.

Dirang increased Reds’ lead with a simple finish after a pass from Obonwe Maome.

With GU supporters still celebrating the goal, Ramatlapeng latched onto the ball on the edge of the box and slotted past Semelamela to reduce the deficit.

Moyagoleele went on the offensive again in an end to end second half and Kutlwelo Mpolokang broke clear but placed a horrible chip into the waiting hands of Maposa.

Chiefs then lost discipline at the back and Kgamanyane punished them with two late goals to seal a comfortable victory which extended GU’s unbeaten streak to six league matches.

GU moved into position four with 25 points from 15 matches.

“We played in the most amazing fashion, offensive style. I am very proud of my players, and we showed the whole country that, with a low budget and no money, we can play good football,” Zapata purred after the match.

Chiefs collapsed to their third straight defeat and assistant coach Pontsho Moloi said it was a ‘shameful defeat’.

“It (performance) is a very big concern for all of us associated with this football club. I played for this team for 10 years plus and have never suffered a shameful defeat like today. But this is part of the game and no one can run away from it. It’s for us all to come together and rectify the mistakes on the pitch,” Moloi said. ENDS