16 Dec 2024

Orapa United’s CAF Confederation Cup campaign continues to be a rollercoaster of fluctuating fortunes. 

After a devastating 6-0 defeat to USMA Alger in their opening Group C match, followed by a hard-fought 0-0 draw against ASEC Mimosas at home, they battled to another stalemate at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium on Sunday, drawing 0-0 against ASC Jaraaf of Senegal.

This latest result, while not a loss, does little to ease the pressure on the Botswana side. 

The point earned brings their tally to two points. 

While the draw prevented Orapa United from falling further behind, their qualification hopes remain extremely precarious. 

The journey to the next stage is now a steep uphill climb, requiring near-perfect results in the remaining group matches as they will need to dramatically improve their attacking prowess and tighten their defensive resolve. 

However, Orapa United coach, Gadimang Tiiso said in a post match interview that they had shown considerable improvement over the course of the campaign.

“Looking at our performances, particularly in the last two matches, we have played very well,” he noted.

He said they created numerous opportunities in the final stages of the game, but unfortunately, luck was not on their side.

“We need to work on minimising our mistakes but it is going to be a process that would not happen overnight, but we are on the right track,” he said. 

The match against Jaraaf was a tense affair, a cagey encounter characterised by tight defending and few clear-cut opportunities. 

Both teams battled hard for control but neither could break the deadlock, leading to a share of the spoils. Tension filled the air at the stadium as The Ostriches and Jaraaf battled it out in a closely fought encounter. 

Just 10 minutes in, Ababakar Sarr of Jaraaf went down inside the Orapa penalty area following a challenge. The referee, however, waved away the appeals for a penalty, much to the dismay of the Senegalese side but to the relief of the home team. 

The first half remained a tight affair, with both defenses holding firm. However, as the clock ticked down towards half time, Jaraaf almost broke the deadlock. 

Issaga Kane unleashed a thunderous strike that forced a spectacular save from Orapa goalkeeper, Lesenya Malapela, who tipped the ball onto the post, resulting in a corner that yielded nothing before the sides went into the break at 0-0.

Orapa returned for the second half a more organised unit, and as the game intensified, the pressure mounted on Jaraaf. The increased intensity saw Jaraaf’s dangerous forward, Sarr, cautioned with a yellow card for a late tackle on Orapa’s Nyembo Azende. 

As the final whistle loomed, Orapa pushed relentlessly for a winner. In the dying moments, Kagisano Mungu received a fortuitous bounce off the Jaraaf defense and unleashed a powerful shot that, to the disappointment of the home crowd, sailed narrowly wide of the post. 

The referee eventually signaled the end of a hard-fought goalless draw. The final whistle signaled the end of a frustrating match for Orapa United, who will undoubtedly feel they should have taken more from the game.

ASC Jaraaf coach, Malick Daf reflected on the match as a testament to the unpredictable nature of football. 

“It is a game of surprises. Anyone can win; anyone can lose. We had hoped for a victory today, but the game unfolded differently,” he lamented. 

He said his team had promising chances in the first half, but ultimately, they failed to convert them. 

“Nevertheless, I accept the result,” he said. Ends