Focus shifts to Orange FA Cup
The newly crowned Mascom Top 8 Champions, Orapa United will shift their focus to another challenge this Friday when they host Gaborone United in the Orange FA Cup last 16 round match.
The last time the two teams met in a league game Moyagoleele defeated the host Orapa United 2-0. Mara Moloi and Obonwe Maome scored to give the visitors maximum points.
The Reds travel to Itekeng Stadium to try and dislodge the Ostriches from their fortress. GU have been doing well off late. The Old Naledi outfit has registered five consecutive wins under the tutelage of caretaker Coach Pontsho “Piro” Moloi.
In their last league game, GU bagged the city’s bragging rights in a 2-1 derby win at the expense of Township Rollers.
United who were not active this weekend played two friendly matches against division one side Master Blackpool and Notwane FC which they won 4-1 and 5-1 respectively.
Speaking to Voice Sport this Wednesday, The Ostriches Coach Teenage Mpote said as the Orange FA Cup Defending Champions, their Top 8 triumph is in the past and their focus has now shifted to the task at hand.
“Our intention is to defend this cup with all we have,” said Mpote.
“We know anything can happen in a cup game but we intend to use our home ground advantage. We won’t be travelling, which gives us more time to train the whole week after a hectic cup final over the weekend, Mpote told Voice Sport.
The tactician said he’s anticipating a highly tactical game against an unpredictable GU side who are on a good run.
“It’s a pressure game, and obviously all eyes will be on us as the defending champions, so we need to play with caution to avoid unnecessary mistakes,”said Mpote.
GU Coach Moloi, who watched his Friday opponents dispose off Rollers last Saturday in Francistown said he’s prepared to face a team he referred to as ‘tough opponents’.
Piro said he’ll consult his notes after studying Orapa for over 120 minutes against Rollers.
“I had the opportunity to identify their strengths and weaknesses which helped us in our preparations,” said Moloi, adding that it’ll be tough and equally exciting to face the Defending Champions.
“The weekend break has given injured players time to recover, and we now have a full strength squad to select from,” revealed Moloi.
The former Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Zebras’ tricky winger further told Voice Sport that while they respect their opponents they see the Orange FA Cup as one of this season’s realistic chances of winning silverware after missing out on the Top 8.
“We’ll go all out for a win and go through to the quarter finals. We are however not under any pressure. All we can do on the night is give our best,”he said.
Kick-of is 1900hrs.