08 Dec 2019

Jwaneng Galaxy on December 6 night reached Mascom Top 8 semi-finals after defeating Gaborone United 4-3 following a penalty shootout at the Royal Aria Stadium in Tlokweng.

Thapelo Motlhanka’s second half strike had handed GU a 1-0 victory in regulation time thereby taking the tie to 1-1 on aggregate, with Galaxy having also won the first leg 1-0 in Jwaneng two weeks ago.

The lottery of penalties was thus necessary to break the deadlock and Galaxy duly progressed.

The tournament draw had pitted last season’s finalists together at the quarterfinal stage. And, defending champions, Galaxy, asserted themselves early on.

In trying to chase the tie, GU coach, Philemon Makhwengwe, started the match with three strikers, Patrick Kabamba, Kekaetswe ‘Mara’ Moloi and Joel Mogorosi, the latter deployed behind the front two.

But, until Makhwengwe pulled out Mogorosi, introducing Lobopo Moremi early in second half, the Reds lacked creativity and Galaxy took the early initiative.

In the eighth minute, Galaxy spurned a good chance when Gilbert Baruti located Takunda Sadiki who set forth goalwards, but GU goalkeeper, Ookeditse Semelamela, came out of his line narrowed the angle and saved the attempt.

Minutes later, the GU rearguard was alert to the danger, blocking a Gift Moyo attempt after Sadiki had rounded off Semelamela before locating Moyo in the danger zone.

Kabamba advanced in the opposing penalty area in the 22nd minute, but shot over the bar.

Moyo missed while on a one on one run against Semelamela, and on one end, Galaxy defender, Thato Kebue, nearly scored an own goal when his attempt to block a GU cross into the box hit his side’s cross bar.

Later, Motlhaka forced a save off of Galaxy goal minder Anthony Gouws.Three minutes before the break, a Motlhanka cross reached Moloi who headed wide as the match went to the interval goalless.

In the second half, GU got more energy into their creative play with the introduction of Moremi and the Reds were able to get balls into the attacking channels with greater frequency.Motlhaka scored GU’s goal 10 minutes after recess, with a good strike that cancelled out Moyo’s first leg goal for Galaxy.

GU had a chance in the 75th minute, but Moloi’s header went straight into the hands of Gouws.

Ten minutes to the end, Lebogang Ditsele’s shot flew over the GU goalposts and minutes thereafter, Kabamba header over on the other end after an Ononwe Maome free kick for the Reds.

It ended 1-0 to GU, 1-1 on aggregate and the penalty shootout tie break was needed to break the stalemate.

Galaxy emerged 4-3 winners after six penalties apiece; Galaxy missing two, GU failing to hit the target on three occasions. ENDS