The Orange FA Cup finals set for June 17th will see football giants, Orapa United and Gaborone United clash for the P800 000 first prize money. The two qualified for the finals after winning their semi-finals last weekend against Masitaoka and Township Rollers respectively.
On Saturday, Orapa United took on Masitaoka at the Royal Aria Stadium and the Ostriches won the game by 4 goals to 3 in penalties after both played to a nil draw.
The other semi-final, pitted city rivals Gaborone United and Township Rollers at the National Stadium, and the defending champions won the derby by 1-0 with Mpho Kgaswane scoring the only goal of the game in the 6th minute of the first half. GU has beaten Rollers twice in a row after a 4-0 league defeat a week ago in Lobatse.
GU Communication Officer Herbert Letsebe has expressed confidence about winning the finals noting that their win against Rollers was proof of that. He indicated that some of the key players were not part of the game but they managed to contain Popa Popa.
“Our star goal keeper Goitseone Phoko was not part of the match while suspended Mothusi Jonhson was replaced by Thobo Boyce Seeleko and that didn’t changed our approach at all,” he stressed.
According to him, their intention from the beginning was to defend both the league and the FA Cup. Letsebe believes that they have all it takes to dominate the local football and even become victorious at CAF Champion’s League next season.
For his part, Orapa United Head Coach Tawurayi Manguiro noted that they are ready for the cup final against Gaborone United as they are well prepared and determined for a win. The coach indicated that they are currently assessing players’ injuries coming from the semi-final game and they are hopeful that there will be none.
“Though GU is doing well in the elite league we however remain confident that we will defeat them come June 17th, we are not going into the finals just to honor the fixture but to fight for a win at the end of the day,” he said.
He concluded that as the technical team they are working on ensuring that his boys score more goals after playing to a draw against Masitaoka on Saturday.
