25 Jun 2023

Gaborone United have been crowned the champions  of 2023 Orange FA Cup,  adding another Orange FA title to their trophy cabinet and cashed in P800 000.

Thatayaone Kgamanyane headed home in the 93^rd minute to hand the Reds a hard-fought 1-0 victory against a resilient Orapa United in a closely contested game played at the National Stadium on Saturday.

The Money Machine came into the finals with two Orange FA Cup titles to their name and this victory nudges them further ahead as the most dominant team in the history of the competition, wining it for a record third time in a row, thus keeping the trophy for good.

With the hype and thrill leading to the finals in mind, the game was worthy of the build-up with both teams technically balanced,  approaching the game with 4-3-3 formations. From the 48 teams seeded at the commencement of the tournament, 46 had fallen by the wayside and it was now only down to two and a case of who would be the last man standing.

Both stepped in the field on Saturday on the back of some esthetic victories in their semifinal showdown with GU having registered a 1-0 victory against city-rivals Township Rollers while Orapa United defeated Masitaoka 4 -3 on penalties following a goalless draw on regulation time.

With a galaxy of stars in their lineup, GU began the game with Mothusi Cooper and Mothusi Johnson combining to boss the midfield, but Orapa United’s defence marshalled by Thato Kebue kept GU’s attack at bay.

Having played on the back foot for most of the time, Orapa United had to show their tenacity too and stepped a gear up in the second half of the game in search of a goal, but Omaatla Kebatho’s final touch in front of goals in the 89^th minute left a lot to be desired as he could not convert a clear chance.

Kebatho’s missed chance in the dying minutes of the game nonetheless proved to be costly for his side as Kgamanyane rose high to head home from Mothusi Johnson’s cross and handed GU victory in the referee’s injury time.

For Pontsho Moloi and his technical squad, FA cup victory also guarantees continental football in the CAF confederation cup and the gaffer can take plenty of credit in how his side ended what could have been a disappointing campaign after his side were dethroned from the premiership title by Jwaneng Galaxy.

Meanwhile, GU also won all individual accolades, with Mothusi Cooper being crowned Player of the Tournament while Kgamanyane walked away with the Man of the Match award. ENDS