20 Feb 2023

Tsabong-based Black Rangers on Saturday thrashed Mochudi United 1-0 in a mouth-watering Orange FA cup encounter.

Black Rangers thus secured a place in 24 lowly ranked teams, which will be pitted against premier league teams in the battle for the P700 000 prize money.

Black Rangers right winger, Elvis Danster, put the hosts ahead when he rattled the net on the 22nd minute.

 His tactical ball command on the pitch also won him the Orange man of the match title and a P1 000 cheque.

Mochudi United’s troubles resulted from its strikers’ inability to convert.

“We managed to create chances, but unfortunately we did not convert,” said coach, Thapelo Thebe in an interview.

He said they came prepared, adding that they knew their opponents’ style of play and planned to dominate middle field and win balls, but unfortunately that was not to be.

“It is over for us in the Orange FA Cup, so we are going back to prepare for the league,” Thebe said.

Black Rangers assistant coach, Kekopile Kolagano, said they were happy with the win as it gave the team the much needed boost as they had not won a single game in a long time.

“So this is a sigh of relief for us as you can see our supporters are happy singing. They have not done this in a long time,” he said.

Botswana Football Association (BFA), national executive committee additional member, Alec Monyake, said they were impressed with the attendance, adding “this is actually what we preach about FA cup, we believe it must bring ball closer to the people”.

He said the P700 000 prize money also meant that the stakes were much higher, revealing that there were also some new developments such as having medical rescue services at all Orange FA cup games.

Monyake encouraged residennts to explore value chain opportunities brought about by football, such as paramedic services.

He said they would like to find the necessary services in the localities/venues because they wanted to empower local communities and small micro and medium enterprises.

He said Orange FA cup was unique as it gives players in remote communities exposure as premier league teams travelled there to play. He said there were also talent scouting opportunities, adding that there were thus possibilities for them to eventually attract ‘big teams’ with better offers.

Monyake said they wished to see more players from the western region getting into the elite team and ultimately being called for national team, citing national team player Mothusi Cooper, who is from Tsabong. ENDS