25 Apr 2022

Botswana Premier league log leaders, Gaborone United on Saturday walloped Motaung Young Fighters 6-1 to sail through to the last 16 of the Orange FA Cup challenge.

In a highly attended match, the already struggling Debswana First Division team found itself faced with a mammoth task to outclass the Orange FA Cup defending champions.

Fighters started the match with vigour while the visitors launched massive attacks to take greater share of ball possession.

United’s striker, Kekaetswe Moloi opened the score sheet in the first sixth minute after a fine run and placed a quick one against Fighters goalie, Sekgele Nageng.

Moments later, Thatayaone Ramatlapeng sliced past the Fighters’ defence and netted the second goal in the 14^th minute, which set Fighters in a confusion mode.

With a two-goal score, the now nervous Fighters were forced to make their first substitution by pulling out Thabang Mosime and bringing in Kabelo Marumo.

Fighters were in shambles defensively often times keeping their fans on their toes. 

The money machine on the other hand continued to crack the whip on their opponents as Moloi netted a brace to increase the scores to three in the first stanza on the 30^th minute. 

The third goal seemed to have spurred on Fighters, as they started pushing forward in the search for their first goal.

Fighters’ striker, Malebogo Ditiro’s efforts did not bear fruit as he came empty-handed after United’s Ookeditse Semelamela made an easy save.

Despite the heated pressure from their opponents, Fighters’ Theo Shadikong tried his luck, but hit the crossbar.

Continued pressure by the hosts on visitors resulted in a penalty after United’d Kennedy Amutenya fouled Shadikong. 

Ditiro slotted the ball past Semelamela with utmost ease to register Fighters’ first goal in the 42^nd minute.

The teams went for recess perched at 3-1. However, after the break, the visitors still looked eager to draw more blood.

Moyagoleele boys continued to sail with ease to increase the goal tally when Moloi scored the hat-trick with a beautiful header in the 57^th minute. As if that was not enough, Onkabetse Makgantai netted the fifth goal in the 72^nd minute to put the scoreline way out of reach for the hosts.

 Misani Thupa drove the final nail on the coffin in the 79^th minute to bury Fighters.

In a post-match interview with Fighters’ Coach Bonang Mongala, he expressed disappointment, saying his boys failed to apply themselves decisively to save themselves from the brutal defeat.

GU head coach, Innocent Morapedi expressed gratitude even though he decried the bad condition of the pitch, which he said adversely affected their play despite the win.

He, however, noted that it was ideal for his team to acquaint themselves with different kinds of pitches around the country.

In other games, BDF XI scored 2-0 against Molepolole City, BIUST All Stars beat Tlokweng Red Sparks 3-1, Tafic walloped Notwane 3-0, Eleven Angel beat Peace Makers 1-0 and Calendar Stars beat Chadibe 1-0.

Meanwhile, Ramatlapeng was named man of the match and walked away with a trophy and airtime worth P750. ends