Galaxy overcomes stubborn VTM

06 Oct 2024

Defending elite league champions, Jwaneng Galaxy started the inaugural FNB Premiership on a high, thanks to a goal in each half without response from VTM, courtesy of Onkabetse Makgantai and Lesotho international, Neo Mokhachane.

Due to the fact that Galaxy have been playing high caliber games in the CAF Champions league, many expected them to have it easily against VTM, but the result was hard fought for.

Even Galaxy coach, Morena Ramoreboli equally admitted that the game was not easy as they faced a much disciplined team.

“Their plan was very simple, wait for us so that they can counter, but am happy that we got the result right in our first match,” he said.

Ramoreboli admitted that first games of the season were always tough as teams would have yet gotten the tactics right.

“I think all the mistakes we saw today are a result of this being the first game, where you get even the basics wrong like not knowing when to pass and when to carry the ball. It’s all normal,” he said.

Despite the advantage of playing a few games in the CAF competitions, Ramoreboli said that was still not enough to give his team momentum.

He however, expressed gratitude in that his team managed to get its defence right, which he said would leave focus in sharpening the attack, where he said they were not aggressive enough.

Ramoreboli also hailed VTM for its performance.

“The way they set up their structure and know how to counter, I don’t think many teams will survive against them. I think in three or four matches they will be a totally different team,” he warned.

He thereby said that his team was lucky to have played them early before they got too dangerous, and that gleaning three points from them was as sweet as getting them from bigger opponents.

On whether it is a blessing in disguise that his team was eliminated from the CAF competitions, enabling them to solely focus on the premiership, Ramoreboli believed that is not the case as they wanted to go as far as possible in the continental competition.

Meanwhile despite the loss, VTM coach, Reuben Chikoti welcomed the result as not that bad taken in the context of where the team was coming from.“

The team was disbanded at one point and we started building afresh, but looking at the display despite all that, the boys did well,” he said.

Chikoti was speaking in reference to the decision of the owners to sell the team due to financial challenges, a move they later reneged on, albeit having already lost most players.

He said in that context, it was good that they could compete with a team of Galaxy’s stature to a point where they could even have won the game have they buried all their chances.

 He said it was his hope that in their next game next door at Matebele, his team would be a different version.

“We hope to hit goals this time around, and that would be for the betterment of the team as well,” he said. ENDS

Source : BOPA

Author : Olekantse Sennamose

Location : GABORONE -

Event : FNB Premier League

Date : 06 Oct 2024