31 Oct 2022

Gaborone United (GU) have sent strong warning to premier league title rivals with a commanding 2-0 victory away to BDF XI in Lobatse on Saturday.

Usually a hard nut to crack for GU, BDF XI were expected to provide a solid test to the beginning of the Reds’ title defence. 

However, the match was completely dominated by the visitors who deservedly won through second half goals by substitutes; Thatayaone Kgamanyane and Sizwe Twala. 

GU goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko. was hardly tested throughout the match. He made only one serious save in the dying minutes from striker Godfrey Tauyatswala.

Onkabetse Makgantai wasted a glorious opportunity to open the scoring in the fourth minute after being released behind the defence. 

With BDF XI goalkeeper Kagiso Matlou at his mercy, the striker delayed shooting and the ball was snatched from his feet. Mpho Kgaswane shot over the posts three minutes later from another promising GU attack.

Kgaswane, Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, Mothusi Cooper and Duncan Otieno dominated the midfield as BDF aka Matebele-a-Mantshonyana resorted to absorbing pressure. 

However, for all their possession in the first half, their build ups were slow and could not break the hosts’ defence which was well marshalled by Onkabetse Seforo and Ronald Setshego. 

It took 28 minutes for the BDF XI goalkeeper to make a serious save from a shot by overlapping right back Alford Velaphi.

Even though they tried their best to unsettle the GU rear-guard, BDF attackers; Mbonisi Ncube, Aobakwe Tshobo and Thabo Metlhayotlhe found it difficult to curve clear scoring opportunities.

After bringing on Kgamanyane and Twala for Velaphi and Otieno at the start of the second half, GU showed urgency in their attacks. 

Ramatlapeng, who was brilliant, provided two opportunities that were put wide by Thato Kebue and Makgantai. 

Kgamanyane finally broke the deadlock by heading home from a good delivery by Thero Setsile in the 65th minute. 

Twala doubled the lead 12 minutes later after latching onto a delightful pass and turning a defender before slotting in a low shot for his first league goal in GU colours.

GU had more opportunities to increase the winning margin but Kgamanyane twice headed wide while substitute Tshepo Malgas opted to square the ball instead of shooting while clear inside the penalty area.

GU will next weekend take on premier league new boys Holy Ghost, who drew 2-2 with Jwaneng Galaxy. 

BDF XI on the other hand will get a chance to redeem themselves against newly promoted Nico United, who shocked Sua Flamingoes 1-0 in Selebi Phikwe.  Ends