24 Apr 2025

Sixteen out of the 48 teams will fight to proceed to the next round of Orange FA Cup. silverware last man standing heats up.

The moment of truth beckons for football fanatics and it will be a case of no retreat, no surrender as the Orange FA cup last 16 takes center stage across the country this weekend and no team needs any outside motivation with a staggering P800 000 prize money at stake.

Undoubtedly, the blockbuster tie between Union Flamingo Santos and Security Systems in Gabane on Sunday will indisputably headline the last 16 showdown as it is the only tie that has pitted elite league contenders against each other.

Both sides finds themselves at the wrong end of the Botswana Premier League table with Santos already relegated to the First Division league while Systems has their premier league status destiny in their own hands.

Having knocked out on-form Tafic via penalties in the previous round, Santos are expected to once again use the home ground advantage as they have now shifted their attention on the FA cup and aim to salvage what could be a nightmare season following their relegation.

Meanwhile, the defending champions Jwaneng Galaxy will travel the vast Kgalagadi desert for a David vs Goliath showdown against Blue Stars who play under the Ghanzi Regional Association Division 1 League.

Stars proceeded to the last 16 round with a 3-1 victory on penalties against Debswana First Division side Eleven Angels following a 0-0 stalemate in open play and they will be hoping to perform another giant killing heroics in their own backyard against a star–studded Galaxy side.

The betting odds are undoubtedly in Galaxy’s favour buoyed by both their Premier League and CAF Champions League experience.

Galaxy has a reputation of being perennial winners and it is on the back of this that they will be hopeful to add another trophy to their wide range of collections.

Another mouth-watering encounter is expected when on-form Sua Flamingoes takes on Kazungula Young Fighters at Kasane Prisons grounds on Saturday. A daunting task awaits Sua Flamingies as the Chobe regional football champions have already caused an upset in the Orange FA cup with the elimination of Debswana South First Division side, City Polar to reach the last 16 of the competition .

In another last 16 fixture, crowd puller Mochudi Center Chiefs are pitted against Tswapong Regional League Division 1 contestants FC Palapye at Palapye stadium on Sunday.

FC Palapye proceeded to the last 16 following a 1-0 win against former Premier league campaigners Motlakase Power Dynamos while Mochudi Center Chiefs eliminated Masitaoka with a same score line in the last 32.

Meanwhile, in other fixtures Notwane will on Sunday play Holy Ghost at the SSG grounds in Gaborone while Orapa United will face off with Taung Young Strikers on Saturday at Tlokweng VDC grounds.

MR Highlanders will play host to Matebele FC at the Botswana railways stadium in Mahalapye while Hukuntsi based Sand Diamond will host VTM in Hukuntsi on Sunday.

All games are scheduled to start at 3pm hours. ENDS