Masitaoka FC

Masitaoka FC put on a thrilling display and earned an important 3-0 win against Prisons XI at Molepolole Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon. Ambrosius Obry Amseb netted the opener with a powerful strike in the first half before Lethabo Ogotseng completed the victory with a brace in the second half; registering his 5^th goal of the season.

It was a first 45 minutes dominated by Majatlhaga as the Blues of Kweneng were in search of a second consecutive victory. Mandla Mpofu boys were immediately in control of play, finding early goal attempts through Simbarashe Manyoni and Ogotseng who came close to open the scoring on several occasions.

The deadlock was eventually opened on the 27^th minute with powerful shot from Amseb after Prisons XI defence failed to clear the ball from Tapiwa Sepatela cut back pass. Ten minutes before the break Ogotseng squandered the chance to make in two after his lobbed ball over the keeper missed the target. Despite the pressure, Majatlhaga failed to extend the lead and went into the tunnel leading 1-nil.

After the second half restart Majatlhaga continued to dominate possession looking to score more goals.

In a bid to add some additional attacking spark Coach Mpofu introduced Losika Ratshukudu on the 62^nd minute and three minutes later he was involved in our second goal assisting Lethabo Ogotseng. On the 85^th minute, the 17 year old playmaker combined well with Moabi Phuthego who also came on from the bench to set up Ogotseng again to tap in and complete his first brace in Majatlhaga colours.

The victory now takes Masitaoka up to the 5^th position on the log standing; two points above Security Systems who lost 3-0 to Gaborone United.

Up next for Majatlhaga FC is an away clash against Sua Flamingoes in Sowa Town on Saturday, 11^th of February 2023.

Line-Up: James (16), Sepatela (7), Gabadise (5), Kamberipa © (15) (Tjizake 4’), Khuduga (17), Ramotlhwa (23), Ramotse (18) (Gagoitseope 20’), Amseb (10) (Mloyi 6’), Manyoni (33) (Phuthego 27’), Mankanku (21) (Ratshukudu_L 29’), Ogotseng (14)

Subs Not Used: Motswagole (32), Thuto (28), Kotze (8), Bogale (2)

Head Coach: Mandla Mpofu

Masitaoka FC wishes to congratulate our Youth Coach Kealeboga Basiamisi for obtaining BFA B Coaching License which was organized by Botswana Football Association (BFA) Technical Department.

We are proud of your outstanding performance during the training and we wish you all the best in your football Coaching career.

Masitaoka FC is pleased to announce that the club and Eleven Angels FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Attacking Midfielder Monty Agang Enosa.

The 19 year old, who has been a standout performer for Lekgamu la Bananyana signed a two-year deal with Majatlhaga.

In the 2021/22 season he helped Eleven Angels to gain Promotion to the Premier league after Play-Off tie against Mochudi Centre Chiefs, he was also the joint Top Goalscorer of the Orange FA Cup Season 3 with 5 goals.

The Zebras Midfielder who represented Botswana in the 2022 COSAFA Cup for both Senior Team and Under 20 made 11 appearances for his former club this season; scoring three goals and registering 5 assists.

The Board would like to thank his representatives and Eleven Angels management for the professional manner in how the transfer of Enosa was handled throughout the transparent and cooperative negotiations, making the process quick and smooth for both clubs. We would like to commend them for their professionalism and wish them all the best for the remainder of the season.

Mr Godfrey Ratlhaga, Masitaoka FC Executive Chairman, said:

“Monty is one of the best exciting young talents, he is a player who has qualities that fits our vision, he will complete our very young and talented group of players. He joins us at a very good moment where he can contribute in a key position to help maintain our momentum”.

Everyone at Masitaoka FC welcomes Monty to the club.

After a disappointing weekend in Molepolole, Masitaoka FC bounced back to winning ways away from home by claiming a 3-1 victory against Morupule Wanderers in their 13^th game of the 2022/23 Botswana Premier League campaign at Serowe Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Namibian playmaker Ambrosius Amseb returned to the starting line-up following his full recovery from an ankle injury that kept him out since the 4^th of December 2022. Furthermore, striker Lethabo Ogotseng and Zimbabwean winger Simbarashe Manyoni were handed their first starts of the season by Head Coach Mandla Mpofu.

It was the hosts who started very strong and dominating possession in the early stages of the game which resulted to them getting first shot at goal by Agrippa Murimba which was comfortably saved by Victor James. Morupule pressure finally paid off on the 10^th minute with Murimba again striking from the edge of the 18 yard box beating James on the near post to make it 1-nil.

Morupule’s goal seemed to be a wake-up call for Mandla Mpofu boys who then began to play with more aggression and determination to get back on the game quickly. The wait for the equalizer lasted for only 7 minutes and came on the 17^th minute; Ogotseng pounced on defensive miscommunication by Wanderers backline to level matters with a chip over the goalkeeper.

Majatlhaga kept the tempo high and continued to look for more spaces to score the second. On the 34th minute Ogotseng pressurized Morupule keeper Badisa Mpote forcing him to make a mistake and unmarked Brian Vuyo Mankanku picked up the loose ball to direct it into an open net; getting on the score sheet for the first time in Majatlhaga colours.

Few minutes before the break Tapiwa Sepatela attacked the box with pace after combining with Manyoni on the right flank and played the ball across the face of goal but sliding Amseb and Ogotseng couldn’t make enough contact to score the third goal. The two sides went into half time Masitaoka leading Wanderers 2-1.

From the break, Majatlhaga continued to push forward with the intent of getting more goals and on the 49th minute overlapping Sepatela scored the third assisted by Obusitswe Gabadise after a well-executed play from the back.

Masitaoka then played the game more ease and less pressure for most parts of the second half but failed to add more goals. Morupule made tactical changes to try and find ways to get back into the game but Victor James and his solid defence denied them all the spaces.

The game ended with a 3-1 score line in favour of Majatlhaga and they remain on 6^th position with 22 points. The blues are next in action against Prisons XI at Molepolole Sports Complex on Sunday, 5^th February 2023.

Line-Up: James (16), Sepatela (7), Gabadise (5), Kamberipa © (15), Khuduga (17), Ramotlhwa (23), Ramotse (18), Amseb (10), Manyoni (33), Mankanku (21) (Phuthego 27’), Ogotseng (14)

Subs Not Used: Motswagole (32), Tjizake (4), Thuto (28), Molelowamodimo (24), Bogale (2), Ratshukudu_L (29), Monaheng (30), Mloyi (6)

Head Coach: Mandla Mpofu

Masitaoka FC is delighted to announce the signing of a Central Defender Ofentse Lawrence Radikgageng, penning a two-year deal with the club.

The 23 year old joins Majatlhaga from Extension Gunners. Everyone at the club welcomes Ofentse to Masitaoka family.

Masitaoka FC is pleased to announce the signing of a Left Winger Moabi Phuthego on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The 23 year old attacker who also played for Taung Young Strikers joins the club from Extension Gunners.

Masitaoka FC 2023 unbeaten run in Premier League came to an end on Sunday at Molepolole Sports Complex as they were beaten 4-1 by Jwaneng Galaxy.

Head Coach Mandla made four changes from the previous outing against Nico United. Tapiwa Sepatela, Itumeleng Salani, Gabriel Van-Neel returned to the starting XI and newly signed striker Jacob Nduna Mloyi made his club debut leading the attack upfront.

The game started on high tempo and with just seven minutes gone on the clock, Galaxy broke the deadlock after Kitso Mangolo floated a beautiful cross to the back post and the Zimbabwean speedy winger Daniel Msendani lobbed Victor James in goal to give Galaxy the lead.

Six minutes later Majatlhaga found the equalizer through Thabang Khuduga who unleashed a superb strike from distance to beat Galaxy goalkeeper Karabo Gaolebale. Galaxy then restored their lead quickly after re-start with Gilbert Baruti; finishing off from Msendani low cross. The visitors controlled most parts of the first half stopping Masitaoka from playing out and maintained their attacking threat.

It was 2-1 at half time, though just before the break Salani’s powerful strike inside the box was blocked for a corner kick.

Majatlhaga made a better start to the second half, substitute Lethabo Ogotseng went close to find the equalizer but his attempt hit the crossbar after meeting Khuduga’s low drive cross into the box. Last season’s top goal scorer Thabang Sesinyi increased Galaxy’s lead on the 66th minute heading in past James from the corner kick.

The home side controlled much of the possession in the closing stages with Ogotseng, Ambrosius Amseb and Losika Ratshukudu posing threat to Galaxy backline but could not find the break through.

Clinical Galaxy rounded off the scoring inside referee’s additional time through substitute Wendell Rudath who powered in a right footed strike beyond Victor James into the bottom corner. A frustrating result of a spirited and competitive second half performance from Mandla Mpofu’s side.

Majatlhaga will now look ahead for their next league game against Morupule Wanderers on the 28th of January 2023 at Serowe Sports Complex, with kick off for that game at 1600HRS.

Line-Up: James (16), Sepatela (7), Gabadise (5), Kamberipa © (15), Khuduga (17), Kotze (8), Ramotse (18), Salani (11) (Amseb 10’), Van-Neel (22) (Ratshukudu_L 29’), Mankanku (21) (Thuto 28’), Mloyi (6) (Ogotseng 14’)

Subs Not Used: Motswagole (32), Tjizake (4), Ramotlhwa (23), Bogale (2), Manyoni (33)

Cautions: 18. 0, Ramotse 11min’

Head Coach: Mandla Mpofu