06 Feb 2022

 Gaborone United (GU) produced a strong willed 2-1 comeback against Orapa United to secure a comfortable spot at the summit of the premier league table.
GU aka Moyagoleele are on position one with 41 points from 16 games, thus five points away from rivals, Township Rollers, who closed the widening gap late into the night after beating Mogoditshane Fighters 2-1.
The loss by Orapa United put them on 30 points and they closed the top four bracket.
GU’s Thatayaone Kgamanyane levelled matters on the stroke of half time before new signee Thero Setsile put the game beyond reach on the 88th minute through a spot kick to cancel Mbatshi Elias’ ninth minute lead by the Ostritches.
Both teams produced entertaining football with an end to end attack in the first 10 minutes with GU leading most of the onslaught.
Moyagoleele were the first to be handed a golden chance after Obonwe Maome’s brilliant corner kick floated inches off the goal line. Moments later Setsile watched his tame effort easily collected by Lesenya Malapela.
The early threat by GU did not bother the visiting team as they patiently stringed a number of good passes in an attempt to crack the home side’s rear guard. Enterprising defensive midfielder Tapiwa Nyamanjiva deserved credit for The Ostriches brilliant first half display.
Orapa United’s patience finally paid off when Elias looped into a through ball, beat an offside trap and cleverly chipped past oncoming Goitseone Phoko in GU’s goalline.
Tshepo Maikano had failed to control his defensive wall allowing Elias to sneak into the danger zone and put the visitors in front.
Trailing for the better part of the first stanza Moyagoleele did not lose hope. They stringed together neat passes and forced the visitors to retreat and commit silly mistakes. Elias was booked for illegally stopping Lesego Galenamotlhale who combined well with inform Obonwe Maome to crack The Ostriches. Sadly the tackle ended Galenamotlhale’s contribution in the encounter.
Kgamanyane completed GU’s exquisite passing game and leaped onto the end of Maome’s nippy pass to level matters five minutes before referee Derrick Marks blew his whistle to signal the end of the first half.
The former Black Forest attacker failed to double his tally moments later but shot straight to oncoming Malapela who parried to safety and conceded a corner.
At the other end, Omatla Kebatho, who had a quiet afternoon eased the pressure on his team as his looping header forced GU to retreat and arrange the defence. Onkemetse Powe was unlucky not to put his team ahead as his goal was waved offside.
Kennedy Amutenya replaced Alford Velaphi at the break forcing Thato Kebue to assume a right back role. Kebue struggled with this unfamiliar position and allowed Orapa to pile pressure.
GU’s top striker Kgamanyane was ferried off the pitch after Mooketsi Hlabano’s tackle.
 Hlabano was shown red after receiving his second caution. Kgamanyane was replaced by Mpho Kgaswane. GU handed South African midfielder Vusi Twala his debut.
GU wrapped up the game on the 88th minute and claimed maximum points after Malapela was adjudged to have clipped Thatayaone Ramatlapeng. ENDS