The Orange FA Cup Final brought an epic battle between Gaborone United and Security Systems last weekend with the ‘Red Machine’ retaining the tittle, that comes with a P700 000 prize money.
The 2019/2020 champions made a dramatic comeback from a goal behind to thrash Security Systems 2-1. In the first five minutes of the game, Security Systems put pressure on their opponents, as they kept winning more balls from the midfield and making more counter attacks.
Security Systems found an early breakthrough in the first 9th minute of the game with Takunda Sadiki netting after receiving a good pass from the skilful Letlhogonolo Chenjela.
In the 15th minute, Thatayaone Kgamanyane executed a powerful strike from outside the box to equalise.
The goal seemed to have boosted the confidence and motivation of Moya Goleele with the combination of Lesego Galenamotlhale and Lebogang Ditsele making perfect deliveries from the midfield to their fellow strikers who kept on giving Security Systems defence a hard play.
On the 41st minute, Obonwe Maome gave GU a lead after powerful strike that Security Systems goalkeeper Mwampule Masule could not save.
After the break, Systems made more attempts at goal to find the equalising goal, but they could not penetrate Moya Goleele’s tough defence.
The match came to a sudden break in the 55th minute due to an injury on Poloko Nkalolang of Systems after a tackle from Kennedy Amutenya which resulted in a red card.
GU Coach, Innocent Morapedi told Times Sports that their intention was to fight in order to defend their championship. He said through their determination, they managed to win the final game as planned. He dedicated the win to his assistant, Pontsho Moloi who is currently studying and appreciated his efforts for the team.
Security Systems Coach Kaelo Kaelo equally elated about his team’s performance. Kaelo appreciated the players for displaying their level best. He stated that playing Gaborone United at the finals was a great achievement looking at the fact that his team is still developing and growing. He added that his team has also performed fairly well in the league settling for sixth position and getting silver as runner-up at Mascom Charity Cup and Orange FA Cup.
The champions walked away with a P700,000 cash price while the runner ups walked away with P350,000. The awards categories for the tournament were player of the tournament P40, 000, top goal scorer P25,000, goal keeper of the tournament P25,000, referee of the tournament P 10,000, assistant referee of the tournament P10,000 and coach of the tournament P10,000.
Thato Ogopotse of Security Systems scooped the top goal scorer award and the player of the tournament award. He won the top goal scorer award along with the 18-year-old Monty Enosa of Eleven Angels, both players closing the tournament on 5 goals. The referee of the tournament award went to Thabang Ketshabile while the Assistant Referee of the tournament was won by Thuto Maswabi. Innocent Morapedi of Gaborone United won the Coach of the tournament award whereas the club goalkeeper Ookeditse Semelamela is the goalkeeper of the tournament.
