31 Mar 2019

Extension Gunners shot stopper, Katlego Mbise’s superb penalty save on March 29 night has earned the team a place in the last 16 stage of the mouthwatering Orange FA cup.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who has just recovered from a wrist injury sustained in their infamous league loss to high riding Township Rollers, denied Gaborone United (GU)’s  Alford Velaphi when he threw his whole body in the air and stretched one hand to tap out the latter’s well taken spot kick.

The save attracted deafening celebrations from the eastern stand popularly known as Panda.

Mbise pulled out several heroics to deny the marauding GU to stretch their lead after their marksman and former Chippa United attacking midfielder Thatayaone Kgamanyane had put them on the driving seat with an excellent tap following disappointing defending from the visiting team.

The visitors enjoyed a well-balanced passing game with several dashes to their opponents’ danger area. Following a streak of excellent build ups from the middle of the park orchestrated by the stylish Masibusane Zongo, Gunners finally pulled one back through a well-executed header from their skipper Desire Bafana.

Bafana escaped the defensive line, rose above his marker and looped over the advancing Goitseone Phoko to level matters.

The tasteful Zongo added spark with his nippy footwork and had the Gaborone United defensive wall in sixes and sevens with his deft touches.

On the stroke of half time Kgamanyane completed his brace by tucking in a penalty after Gunners’ left back Oabile Makopo was adjudged to have handled inside his own box.

The stocky left footed defender had a bad day as he went on to miss a decisive spotkick during the penalty shootout.

The two teams went for the break with the homeside leading. Ten minutes after the second half started Gunners attacker Lungisani Fanyana, who had replaced Mmoloki Kebalepile, executed a spectacular half volley to once again level matters.

The exciting goal followed a neat exchange of passes from the midfield.

Gunners piled more pressure from the back and the veteran right back Katlego Mothibi who produced a scintillating man of the match performance led the onslaught.

After failing to find the back of the net after the regulated 90minutes the two teams went for a penalty shootout, which ended 8-7 in favour of the Peleng side.

Still on March 29 in Serowe, first half goals from Joel Mogorosi and Tumisang Orebonye as well as a Thatayaone Mampadi’s own goal late in the second half handed Rollers a 3-0 win over Santa Green and a passage to the last 16 of the lucrative cup . ENDS