17 Feb 2014

Orapa United salvaged a draw against Motlakase Power Dynamos in an encounter played at the Swallows grounds in Palapye on Saturday, February 15.

The relegation threatened Orapa United had been on the downward spiral ever since the last games of the first round even though they had a wonderful start to their maiden appearance in the elite league.

As expected, the visitors took the game to the hosts earlier on with their striking force led by their captain Opelo Godfrey, who, unfortunately, was wasteful in front of goals.

In the 13th minute, Orapa's tricky left winger, Hendrick Moyo, eluded the rear guard of Chouka thanks to his excellent foot work and his captain was unmarked in the six yard box but somehow he failed the easiest task of just tapping the ball into the net.

Chouka too had their fair of chances as most of the time they attacked from the wings but their top men seemed like they too had forgotten their scoring boots at home, something which saw the first half going to recess goalless.

In the second stanza, Orapa United aka Ostriches came continued where they had left off but their captain once more let them down. Sensing trouble, Chouka substituted their dazzling defensive midfielder Ronald Kefilwe for a more experienced Jomo Bolofete to the disapproval of fans who felt that it was a wrong decision from the technical bench.

On the other hand Rodney Buka of Orapa United showed his mettle in the middle of the park as he won everything that came his way. Late in the second half and against the run of play, Orapa United were caught on the counter attack, prompting the defence to foul Gabathompe Mbesuma Tsheko just outside the box.

The resulting free kick saw the substitute Jomo silencing his critics when he gave his side a lead through a header after the opponent’s defence were caught ball watching. Just when Chouka thought they had all the three points, the opponents were awarded a free kick far from their goal posts and Olefile Magetse took a powerful shot which somehow eluded the defenders of Chouka and his teammates and found its way into the net.

The game ended in a stalemate of 1 all draw and the visitors breathed a sigh of relief as they salvaged a point in their quest to get out of the muddy situation they now find themselves in. Ends