12 Dec 2019

Orapa United head coach, Mogomotsi Mpote says he was steadily instilling a ‘winning mentality’ into the team, He said this after defeating Extension Gunners 3-1 on December 10 night to secure a fourth straight victory in all competitions.

The ‘Ostriches’ have now climbed to the top three in the league table, with 28 points from 13 matches and are serious contenders for the title.

They last tasted defeat in September, when they were beaten 3-1 by Township Rollers in a league encounter at the National Stadium.

Mbatshi ‘Chida’ Elias put them in front in the 22nd minute with his seventh goal of the campaign, by directing a free header into the net at Lobatse Sports Complex after Gunners young goalkeeper Matshwenyego Koobonye failed to cut a cross from Allen Ndodole.  

Onkabetse Makgantai doubled the lead in the 38th minute with a header inside the six yard box from another cross after Gunners centre backs Mmoloki Kebalepile and Mosimanegape Ntwaetsile failed to challenge him to the ball.

Tapiwa Nyamanjiva added the third in the 66th minute, moments after replacing Gofaone Mabaya in the second half. Vincent Lekorwe pulled one back for Gunners five minutes later with a tap in after Orapa goalkeeper Lesenya Malapela spilled an attempt from youngster Ashtan Esterhuizen.

Mpote said afterwards that he was happy to see his team putting pressure at the top.

“I am happy because since we lost that game (against Rollers) the boys have been putting up a very marvelous performance. We are putting pressure on the team at the top. We are trying to instill a winning mentality and that winning mentality will help us in future because these young boys will grow knowing that in football, you have to win,” Mpote said.

He said it was too early to discuss whether the team would win the league or not because there were still many games to play.

However, he said he was happy that the players understood his philosophy now.

“They know what I expect from them. Everything that we are doing is continuity, and that continuity brings consistency, which brings confidence amongst the players which is showing now. They are confident now in everything they do,” he said.

Gunners coach, Stanley Mwaanga was once again forced to field a number of inexperienced players such as Koobonye, who was jittery throughout the match, left back Mompati Sautu and Mompoloki Moatshe in the absence of senior players such as Itumeleng Selapa, Lesego Galenamotlhale, Gosegonna Molapisi and Dirang Moloi.

It was a third straight defeat for ‘Mapantsula’ and they remained on eight points from 13 matches.ENDS