05 Apr 2025

Molaodi Tlhalefang scored right at death as Gaborone United maintained their push for the FNB Premiership title with a hard fought 3-2 victory over Orapa United at Itekeng Stadium this afternoon.

It was a see-saw encounter with a brace by Eric Ookame putting the hosts in control at the break after Omphile Ramoagi had given the visitors an early lead. However, the Reds turned the tables in the second half with Molaodi Tlhalefang's brace.     

Orapa United started the match on the ascendancy and forced the GU defence to commit a foul just outside the box in the seventh minute. Kagisano Mungu missed by inches from the resultant free kick. The hosts kept knocking at GU goalkeeper Thabo Motswagole's posts with some shots on target.  

However, it was GU under former Ostriches coach Dimitar Pantev, which drew the first blood through young midfielder Ramoagi with a low shot in the 18th minute.

The visitors' lead lasted for six minutes only with striker Ookame leveling matters through a header. The on form Ookame then pounced on a mistake from the GU defence to score his second of the match and put the Ostriches in the lead in the 28th minute. A few minutes later, youngster Kamogelo Moloi tried his luck from outside the box as the hosts sensed blood.

GU marksman Thatayaone Kgamanyane went close to finding an equaliser with a header from a corner-kick by Mothusi Johnson in the 33rd minute. Ookame who was a menace to the opposition defence came close to completing a hattrick, but his effort hit the side of the net as the Ostriches went to the break leading. Coach Mogomotsi Mpote's men continued threatening Thabo Motswagole's posts early in the second half but failed to extend their lead.

Midway through the second half, the Reds finally gained the momentum and forced the Ostriches defence to concede two corner kicks in quick succession. They then found the equaliser in the 64th minute through a powerful shot by substitute Molaodi Tlhalefang after connecting with a good pass from Ramoagi. The equaliser injected more confidence on Moyagoleele as they immediately knitted some good passes inside the final third which forced the hosts to concede another corner kick.

Ookame however continued to be a menace and forced a good save from Motswagole as the match entered its final stages. However right at the death, Tlhalefang sealed the victory for Moyagoleele after connecting with a cross from Kgamanyane.

The victory moved GU to position two with 45 points from 23 matches. Defending champions Jwwneng Galaxy have moved to the top with the same number of points after also coming from behind to beat Morupule Wanderers 2-1 at Palapye Stadium this afternoon. Township Rollers are in third place also with 45 points after beating Nico United 3-2 at Sam Sono Stadium.

Other results:

Sua Flamingoes 1-1 Mochudi Centre Chiefs
Extension Gunners 2-3 Matebele FC
BDF XI 1-0 Union Flamengo Santos

ENDS