02 Dec 2021

This weekend Orange FA cup semifinal promises soccer fanatics some eye-catching spectacle as the fixtures comprise high-flying teams.

The double header ties penciled for the National Stadium on Saturday will see Gaborone United against Jwaneng Galaxy while Township Rollers will face off with Premier League debutants Masitaoka.

The battle lines are certainly drawn and four solid forces will fight beyond their historic best with an single aim to add some Orange FA cup silverware in their trophy cabinet.

The blockbuster tie between Gaborone United and Jwaneng Galaxy will indisputably headline the last four fixture list.

The Jwaneng side faces a daunting task against Gaborone United, who seem to have found their winning formula under the headship of Pontsho Moloi and Innocent Morapedi in the technical team.

However, with a bruised ego following their 2-1 midweek defeat to BDF XI, Moyagoleele, as GU is affectionately known, will be hoping to redeem themselves and will be counting on Thatayaone  Kgamanyane to rise to the occasion.  

For GU, it was blood, sweat and tears to reach the semifinals as they faced a resilient Police XI  in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

A solitary goal by veteran striker Kekaetswe ‘Mara’ Moloi against his former team Police XI was enough to secure GU a spot in the last four.

Galaxy, nonetheless, advanced to the last four with an impressive 4-1 victory over the struggling Notwane in a  quarterfinal encounter played under the Lobatse sports complex floodlights on Saturday.  

The Jwaneng side had to dig deep and came from behind with goals from Lucky Mokoena and Resaobaka Thatanyane, who netted a brace each to move Galaxy a step closer to the culmination of the Orange FA Cup.

Subsequent to their 2-1 victory against Prisons XI in their midweek league fixture, Galaxy will approach the weekend tie on high spirits and are optimistic that their array of stars led by Thabang Sesenyi will shine  brighter on the day.

In another mouth-watering last four tie, Township Rollers will battle it out against Molepolole-based outfit, Masitaoka who proceeded to the semifinals after defeating first  division side Calendar Stars 3-1 in Francistown on Saturday.

Masitaoka, who are making their maiden appearance in the FA cup top four, had a much easier route to the semis having avoided the elite sides since their last 32 fixture round until the  semifinal stage.

Township Rollers on the other hand continued their rich vein of form and reached the semi final  after defeating Mahalapye Railway Highlanders 4-0 at the Royal Aria in Tlokweng.

Rollers dominance over the youthful and inexperience Highlanders side during  the quarterfinal tie saw Tlhalefo Molebatsi and Lemponye Tshireletso finding the back of the net in the early stages of the first half before Mohamed Diallo’s brace in the second half granted Rollers  a deservedly 4-0 victory. ENDS