Masitaoka FC

Masitaoka fell to a painful 3-1 loss to a very impressive Orapa United side on the opening day of Botswana Premier League 2022/23 campaign, in an encounter which was played on Saturday night at Itekeng Stadium.

The home side started the game very strong playing at a high tempo and intensity which saw them bossing Majatlhaga in the midfield. Their midfielders were more fluid in passing, especially former Masitaoka FC Vice-Captain Koketso Majafi and Zimbabwean playmaker Kelvin Bingala. The pressure finally paid off on the 18th minute when they took the lead through Omaatla Kebatho who pounced to head in from close range after getting a cross from the left flank.

Although Majatlhaga started the match chasing play, after conceding the first goal they grew into the game playing comfortably from the back in search of an immediate equalizer. Striker Ambrosius Obry Amseb found himself in a shooting space in the attacking zone; he took a shot from distance but unfortunately it was off target, Olebogeng Ramotse was in a similar position few minutes before the end of the first stanza as he unleashed a powerful strike which was comfortably saved by Lesenya Malapela.

Majatlhaga went into the half time break trailing but with enough positive signs to be confident of overturning the score line in the second half.

From the break, they continued where they left off the first half as they took full control of the match after the restart trying to penetrate through Orapa United backline. Amseb looked to level matters with a cracker from a free kick which went over the bar, Ramotse and Christopher Lemme also saw their attempts going wide.

Orapa went up on the other end and Lemogang Maswena scored with a powerful shot to make it 2-0 in the 63rd minute after miscommunication between Tapiwa Sepatela and Itumeleng Salani inside the box. Bingala rounded off their scoring with 10 minutes left on the clock capitalising from defensive lapse to make it 3-0. Ramotse scored a consolation goal for Majatlhaga sending Malapela the wrong way from the penalty spot in additional time.

Despite the loss and a disappointing result, Head Coach Mandla Mpofu was pleased with effort from the team and some positives from the game which can be improved going forward as they lock horns against a stubborn Security Systems in the opening home game of the season on Sunday afternoon at Molepolole Sports Complex, kick off at 1600HRS.

Line-Up: James (16), Sepatela (7), Gabadise (5), Kamberipa © (15), Khuduga (17), Kotze (8), Ramotse (18), Salani (11) (Gagoitseope 73’), Amseb (10) (Manyoni 73’), Van-Neel (22) (Tsholang 63’), Lemme (9)

Subs Not Used: Motswagole (32), Tjizake (4), Ramotlhwa (23), Molelowamodimo (24), Ratshukudu (13), Ogotseng (14)

Cautions: 17. T, Khuduga 37min’

Head Coach: Mandla Mpofu

Masitaoka FC will be well represented by three players who have been called up for a five day Botswana Junior Under 20 Boys National Team Training Camp at Lekidi Football Centre. The players are expected to report for training today and will be released back on Friday 29th October 2021, the camp comes in preparation for COSAFA Cup Tournament which will be held in Eswatini on the 9th – 19th of December 2021.

The selected players are Victor James (Goalkeeper), Boago Silitshena (Defender) and Loago Mangadi (Midfielder). Masitaoka FC family would like to congratulate all the selected players and wish them the best of luck.

Molepolole based side Masitaoka FC ended the 2019/20 season as League Champions of
Debswana First Division South, therefore gaining automatic promotion to Premier League for the
first time ever in the club’s history.

The historical day was the 30th of October 2021 at the National Stadium when Majatlhaga faced
Mogoditshane Fighters in the opening fixture of the 2021/22 season. Majatlhaga started the
game on a high note and dominated large spells of the clash, but fell to a 1-0 defeat at the end
of the game.

High press from Masitaoka resulted to the first open chance of the game that fell to Bakang
Tsholang but the right winger’sshot went wide. Fighters responded by taking the lead on the 29th
minute of the game and Majatlhaga went to the break trailing.

In the second half Fighters did more of the defending work as Masitaoka pressed them in their
own half fighting their way back into the game. Eleven minutes into the second half Head Coach
Nelson Olebile made two changes bringing in striker Christopher Lemme and speedy winger
Kobamelo Kebaikanye, taking out Bakang Tsholang and Ototeng Dintwa. Playing with two strikers
(Patrick Kaunda & Christopher Lemme) was a tough challenge for Fighters defence as Kaunda
saw his header from Aobakwe Radikolana’s cross being cleared off the goal line.

Towards the end of the game on the 78th minute Coach Olebile made another substitution introducing winger Emmanuel Ditodi for veteran central midfielder Kakanyo Kethubile to try and
look for the equalizer but Majatlhaga were unfortunate in front of the goal and unable to get a
way back in the game. Mogoditshane Fighters walked away with all the three points after 90
minutes.

Coach Olebile and his charges will now search for the first win of the season in their next league
game against Morupule Wanderers in Serowe on the 6th November 2021.

LINE UP: 30. K. Kuti, 2. A. Radikolana, 15. F. Thulare, 5. B. Sebapalo, 23. O. Makopo, 3. K. Majafi,

6. W. Mukanga, 20. K. Kethubile (22. E. Ditodi 78), 19. B. Tsholang (7. C. Lemme), 9. P. Kaunda,
7. O. Dintwa (11. K. Kebaikanye*)

SUBS NOT USED: 31. K. Mbise, 14. C. Masire, 25. K. Obonetse, 21. K. Koko, 18. L. Ramotse, 24. T.
Pheresi

CAUTIONS: 6. Walter Mukanga (Yellow Card 80), 23. Oabile Makopo (Yellow Card 90)

HEAD COACH: Nelson Olebile

This coming weekend, Masitaoka Football Club will travel to Boteti Region to take on Orapa United in the opening Premier League game of the 2022/23 Botswana Football League season at Itekeng Stadium on Saturday night.

The encounter is certainly a chance for both teams to introduce their new signings and for Masitaoka all eyes will be on the new Zimbabwean gaffer Mandla Mpofu as he begins his era with Majatlhaga is determined to start in the best possible way.

‘We are delighted and excited that the league will definitely kick off, it has been a long preseason but we did not reduce the intensity of our training programme in the anticipation that we were on course of starting the league rather the less I feel we are ready to compete’.

Together with his technical staff, Coach Mandla is busy at work behind the scenes getting the team ready for this game and has warned youthful Majatlhaga not to put themselves under extra pressure going into this match.

‘A youthful assembled team with new objectives from the club in promoting youth and giving them opportunity, we want to keep our status, start well and get as many points as possible, we not under pressure at all but we want give our best, play entertaining football, take initiatives and enjoy. Orapa intentions are clear they want to win the league, one of the biggest clubs in the country; we are going there as underdogs, we know the pressure and we are going to approach the game very cautious’.

The game will kick-off at 19:00HRS under the floodlights of Itekeng Stadium.

Tickets for the game will are sold through Web Tickets (www.webtickets), Riverwalk Kiosk, Maruapula School (Maitisong), selected Choppies stores (Westgate Mall Gaborone, Selibe Phikwe Mall, Tsabong, Jwaneng, Tati Town Francistown, Metsimotlhabe, Zeerust Road Lobatse) and Spar shops countrywide. Note that there will be no selling of tickets at the match day venue on Saturday. Tickets are P30/each.

Masitaoka has parted ways with the General Manager Mr Harry Koata. We take this time to wish us and him well in the future. The team has begun recruitment for the new General Manager and will communicate confirmation as soon as the process is complete.

Therefore, all communications or any official business should be directed to the Communications Office Mr Godfrey Ratlhaga (+267) 7388870/7188870/3112622