10 Feb 2019

Gaborone United on February 9 reached the Mascom Top 8 final.

That was after a dramatic Gaborone derby where the Money Machine outsmarted their traditional city rivals Township Rollers 10-9 in a sudden death penalty shootout.

GU were the better team on the night and could have easily wrapped up the tie in regulation time, but, after goals from Thatayaone Kgamanyane on the stroke of half time and just seven minutes before the end through Obonwe Maome, forced extra time.

With Tumisang ‘Teenage’ Orebonye scoring for Rollers and Dirang Moloi getting one back for GU, it became 3-3 on aggregate.

Some supporters expected Rollers to proceed to the final on the away goal rule, but a penalty shootout was called since tournament officials adviced that the rules were such that the away goal did not count in extra time.

GU proceeded to win the shootout.

While the debate over the interpretation of that away goal rule is unlikely to go away, there was no doubt about the quality of GU’s play over the second leg. 

They dominated what at the beginning had seemed like a lackluster derby, only to produce the twists and turns of a Hollywood thriller.

Nineteen minutes into the first half, Kgamanyane hit the upright and minutes later, Moloi released Patrick Kabamba with a clever pass but a heavy first touch denied the GU forward to trouble the Rollers goal.

Rollers had a great chance when Segolame Boy played in a great ball into the box, locating Maano Ditshupo deep into the opposition danger zone. 

The Rollers captain spurned a great chance, his effort going just wide. GU won a free kick on the edge of the box after Moloi was tripped in the 36th minute, and Kgamanyane hit the ball over the bar.

The Reds kept stepping up their attack, Kgamanyane’s effort going wide in the 39th minute.  In the 45th minute, the lively Kgamanyane got the opener for GU from deep in the box, after being played in by Obonwe Maome.

Into the second half the Reds would be the first to threaten when Moloi attempted an exquisite chip over Rollers goalkeeper Keeagile Kgosipula, who pulled off a great save to deny GU playmaker.

In the 74th minute, Tshireletso played a quality pass into the path of Boy in the box; the Rollers star stretched the ball past advancing GU goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko, and the effort went wide.

GU coach, Philemon Makhwengwe, introduced Jerome Ramatlhakwana for Rentse Keakabetse, which allowed Ramatlhakwana to partner Kabamba as the Reds stepped up their attack.

In the 83rd minute, GU got the second.  Maome received the ball in the box and struck the ball past Kgosipula to make it 2-0 and 2-2 on aggregate.

GU had a great chance with three minutes left when Moloi released another pin point pass to Kgamanyane, but Ditlhokwe was able to tackle and force a corner kick. Gaopatwe ‘Shoes’ Seosenyeng spurned another gilt edged opportunity go over the bar. At full time it was 2-0 to GU, necessitating extra time that had further drama.

Motsholetsi Sikele of Rollers was red carded. Tumisang Orebonye scored for Rollers, Maome missed a penalty for GU before Dirang Moloi struck the third for GU.

In penalties, Mosha Gaolaolwe and Joel Mogorosi missed penalties for Rollers and Kabamba missed one for the Reds. ENDS