03 Nov 2013

Mascom Top 8 defending champions, Gaborone United (GU) started thier battle to defend the P1 million trophy it won last year by cracking the whip on Ecco City Greens.

They humiliated the Francistown club by three goals to nil on November 2. At half time, The Money Machine was on the lead after Mandla Mgadla scored the opening goal on the 23th minute and Ronald Chikomo placed the second behind Ecco’s goal minder, Michael Onkutule on the 40th minute. 

Though Mamojadiski  had few attempts at the goals, but thier the attacks were not fierce as that of the Reds. Coming back for the second half, GU tightened the back making it a point not to let any goal while making counter attack moves to increase their tally on the napping Ecco.

Five minutes into second half, Edwin Olerile shattered Ecco’s hopes of turning around the table as he pinned the third nail on their host’s coffin, giving them an easy ride to the second leg of their quarter final, which will be played at their home ground at a date still to be set.

Nicholas Mathare replaced Gaokgorwe while Onkgolotse Senatla came in for Joseph but the two did not change the perception of the game until Gosaitse Manuel made his way in for Mandlaenkosi Sibanda and it was then that on the 70th minute Noah Maposa made a real save from Manuel’s first attempt at the goals.

Giving his views after the game, Ecco coach Atshele Molapi said GU played a better ball game than them because unlike his front line players, GU’s Chikomo and Mgadla mounted pressure on his team’s defence and that led to instability in the defence and communication breakdown between them. 

And at the same time because his strikers were not up to the task, the ball bounced in front of them with GU easily winning it back.  He however explained that injuries on some of his key players added to their disastrous performance.

Molapi also noted that because they had not replaced their players that left the team during the transfer window due to in house issues regarding them parting with their main sponsor Botswana Meat Commission (BMC).

Major David Bright of GU is confident his team will reach the final and ultimately defend the cup. Ends