Gaborone United’s dream to reach the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup seem to be an uphill task as a tough return leg to Stade de l’Elgeco Plus stadium in Madagascar await them this Sunday after suffering a 1-0 to Elgeco Plus last weekend.
The money machine will need to score two goals without conceding any for them to continue to the next round where they will face South Africa’s Supersport United. Elgeco Plus from Madagascar is known to be hard to crack at their home hence a big challenge await the reds.
Their traditional 3-4-1-1 playing system with Thatayaone Kgamanyane as a solo striker seems not to be working for them. It is clear that there is void that was left by Goitseone Phoko between the sticks because there was no communication and command at the back and Elgeco Plus capitalised on that mistake scoring their winning goal through Fenohasina Razafimaro in the 25th minute.
Both teams had good chances in the first opening minute of the match, with Elgeco Plus’ Fenohasina Razafimaro heading over the bar from a cross before Kennedy Amutenya also directed his headed effort over the bar for GU in the fifth minute.
Chances after chances were afforded for the home team to have won the match in the first half after Thero Setsile had the first shot on target but it was saved by the goalkeeper while Thatayaone Kgamanyane squandered a huge opportunity to score on 17th minute but his effort went over the bar.
On the 25th minute, the visitors opened the account through Fenohasina Razafimaro from a parried back ball from the GU’s goal keeper following Morelin Raveloariasoana’s shot from a long range.
In the second half, the home side piled more pressure on the visitors through Mpho Kgaswane and Poloko Nkalolang combining well up front but to no avail as the game ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors.
GU spokesperson Herbet Letsebe is however optimistic that all is not lost for them as they can still turn around the tables in their second leg against the Madagascan sides.
“If they can win here, then we can also win at their home ground. and again we played well, only that we were not lucky with all the chances we created,” he told Time Sport.
He noted that they will plan well now that they have seen their weaknesses and that of their opponent ahead of the second leg.
Meanwhile, Jwaneng Galaxy are hopeful of reaching the group stage as they had a comfortable 2-0 win over the Vipers of Uganda at the Lobatse Sports Complex.
Thabang Sesinyi scored his brace on the 15th minute thanks to Gilbert Baruti’ s assistance and he also netted his second goal on the 73rd minute thanks to Benson Mangolo’s assistance. The challenge remain on the Vipers to score three unanswered goals when the two sides meet at St Mary’s Stadium at Kitende in Uganda this Saturday for them to proceed with the CAF Champions league competitions.
Galaxy spokesperson Tankiso Morake told Timeport that the team is ready for their away game with their plan being to win and proceed to the next round. He revealed that their mission is to proceed to the group stage of the competition and probably go further to the next knock out stages.
