12 Aug 2018

A clearly determined Gaborone United beat more fancied Township Rollers 5-4 on penalties to win the inaugural BTC Charity Cup at the National Stadium on Saturday.

The two capital city rivals were level 1-1 at the end of regulation time in the final.

Rollers midfield of Maano Ditshupo, Mosha Gaolaolwe Segolame Boy, Motsholetsi Sikele and Boyo Lechaena dominated the early proceedings.

However, the GU rearguard stood firm and did not allow them many opportunities inside the penalty area.

Bogosi Mfila squandered the first opportunity in the opening minutes by firing wide after GU defender Gosegonna Molapisi gave away possession at the back.

Moyagoleele however took the lead 13 minutes into the match when Ogomoditswe Bauleni’s shot sailed over Rollers goalkeeper Wagarre Dikago.

GU became more threatening afterwards as midfielders Bauleni, Obonwe Maome, Mandla Mgadla and striker Patrick Kabamba started seeing more of the ball.

Boipelo Oaitse failed to double the lead as he hurried his shot straight at Dikago after outpacing the Rollers defence.

Mapalastina equalised through Boyo Lechaena in 34 minutes. 

The young winger connected with a cross from Motsholetsi Sikele and looped the ball over Phoko.

Mfila missed another chance to give Rollers the lead in the opening stage of the second after hesitant defending by Gaopatwe Seosenyeng, while Phoko pulled of a great save to deny Segolame Boy in the dying minutes.

With the scores level when referee Omphile Phuthego blew the final whistle, the match went to penalty shootout.

Gaolaolwe missed the fourth spot kick for Rollers while Boy, Galabgwe Moyana, Tshepo Motlhabankwe and Ditshupo converted theirs.

GU scored all their kicks through Tshepo Maikano, Seosenyeng, Jackie Mothatego, Maome and Mgadla.

GU coach Stephen Maposa was happy with victory. “We are happy because we won the games. 

This was good for us, but we still have a lot to work on especially combinations and fitness,” he said.

Rollers assistant coach Leutlwetse Tshireletso said his team lost the match because it was not clinical in front of goals.

“We were in full control from beginning to end. Ball possession we were dominating, I thought we could have been more clinical in front of goals, we missed clear cut chances,” he said.

GU reached the final after beating Mochudi Centre Chiefs 2-0 in the semifinal through goals by Kabamba and Oaitse, while Rollers beat a disjointed Orapa United 3-0 in the other semifinal, with Joel Mogorosi, Gaolaolwe and Lechaena on target for Mapalastina.

GU took home the trophy and P300 000 for winning the one day competition. Rollers went home with P200 000 while Orapa and Chiefs collected P120 000 each.

Gaolaolwe was voted player of the tournament while Phoko was goalkeeper of the tournament. 

The top scorer award went to Lechaena who scored two goals.

GU coach Stephen Maposa was voted coach of the tournament. Ends