26 Apr 2025

Jwaneng Galaxy head coach Seemo Mpatane has complained about the state of the pitch following his team's 2-0 victory over lower league side Blue Stars in the Orange FA Cup last 16 encounter played at Kgaphamadi Primary School ground in Ghanzi this afternoon.

The victory courtesy of goals either side of halftime from Thero Setsile and Onkabetse Makgantai saw Galaxy avoid becoming the latest victim of a giant killing act and progressed to the quarterfinals of the national cup competition.

"It was not good, terrible conditions. I think we have played in dusty pitches before, but this one was more than just dust. There are stones and a lot or grass and a lot of soil. So it was terrible conditions today, and to be honest we never really got off second gear because what we needed was to get one or two goals and see it through," Mpatane said after the match.

He said he made seven changes to his starting eleven in order to rest some of his regular players.

"We are happy with going through because it was the most important thing," he added.

Stars, currently second in the third tier Ghanzi Regional Division One League, produced a brave fight and held firm for majority of the first half. However, Setsile calmed Galaxy nerves with the opening goal in the 29th minute.

Bone Modirapula missed an opportunity to level matters for the hosts in the 40th minute. Setsile could have extended the Galaxy lead on the stroke of halftime but his effort was thwarted by the Stars alert defence.

Immediately after the beginning of the second half, Makgantai made an attempt to score the second goal but his shot was saved by Stars goalkeeper Golekanye Sakhi. Galaxy then exerted a foothold onto the match and went 2-0 up through Makgantai in the 50th minute.

Stars made two attempts to reduce the deficit through Leon Kgodumo and a freekick from Modirapula but couldn't find the net. Galaxy continued controlling the ball possession and enjoying the upper hand as the quality between them and their lower division counterparts became more evident.

The hosts replaced Matshwenyego Kayoka with Maduo Thumpe and Laone Dipapiso with Ezekiel Khwae as they tried to fight their way back into the contest, but it was Gilbert Baruti the first half replacement for the injured Kutlwelo Mpolokang, who nearly stretched Galaxy's lead in the 68th minute.

The defending champions brought on their star striker Thabang Sesinyi as a replacement for Thabiso Bante for the last 15 minutes, but there were no further goals as the FNB Premiership giants cruised into the quarterfinals in search for their second Orange FA Cup crown.

Even though they have lost, Stars assistant coach Tshomarelo Tsebeng commended his players for the effort they had put in against a top FNB Premiership team.

"They really showed the hunger. They showed character too. A tough encounter I may say. We came here knowing that we were playing against a very deadly side. Our plan was to play with two sitters to prevent them from playing many balls through the midfield. It worked because we won most of the balls in midfield though the results didn't favour us," he said.

In another last 16 encounter played at Tlokweng VDC Gound, First Division side Taung Young Strikers knocked out last season's finalists Orapa United 5-4 on spot kicks. Young Strikers took the lead in the first half through Joshua Ngoma but Eric Ookame equalised late in the second half to take the match to penalties.

OTHER LAST 16 RESULTS

BR Highlanders 0-3 Matebele
Kazungula Young Fighters 0-1 Sua Flamingoes

ENDS