Africa-Press – Botswana. Orapa United coach Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote has berated the players for failing to come to the party after taking a two goal lead in the first 15 minutes of the game only for VTM to equalise minutes later.
The two teams played to a 3-all draw during the FNB Premiership encounter on Saturday. In a post match interview, Mpote said he expected his players to use the experience gained from playing in the CAF Confederation Cup to understand the game plan and carry the two goal lead to the end of the first half, and come back strong in the second half and bury their opponent. He said they were punished for laxity.
Mpote said his boys gave away the game, which was a repeat of their play against Gaborone United. The coach said his substitution was tactical and helped them to take a point home, while they could have collected maximum points, which would have made a difference in the log table. He further said all they need was to change their attitude towards each game and develop a winning mentality to accrue more points to remain in a better position by the end of the season.
VTM coach Reuben Njavera applauded his boys for executing instructions accordingly. Njavera said they knew that they were playing against a big team with experienced players, but they came up with a strategy to frustrate them and block their wings which worked.
“I told my boys to block their channels as they like enjoying the passing game and just make sure they close them up, and when an opportunity arises, take it,” he explained.
He further said they were committed to winning the remaining games to get maximum points so as to have a top 8 slot.
Orapa United’s first goal came in the seventh minute through a beautiful cross that Norman Mabaya could not miss and headed into Lesang Senne’s net, and the second goal came through Erick Ookame in the 13th minute.
VTM got their goals through Thato Mogorosi who headed the ball in from a long throw-in that caught Orapa United defence napping, and were again punished in the 24th minute when Abel Kasaong scored from a thunderbolt from outside the 18th area, beating Orapa goalkeeper, Lesenya Malapela. Cebo Meyiwa gave VTM the 3-2 lead in the 29th minute when he stunned Orapa by scoring from the 16th area and Malapela failed to stop him.
When VTM thought they now had the game in control and three points were in their bag, Orapa United’s substitute Oarabile Sekwai rescued his team from embarrassment when he scored a beautiful header in the 90th minute. Orapa United is now with 32 points sitting at position 8 in the FNB Premiership log table while VTM is on position 11 with 27 points.
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