Masitaoka FC

Masitaoka FC continue their Botswana Premier League 2022/23 campaign on Sunday with title contenders Jwaneng Galaxy at Molepolole Sports Complex.

Head Coach Mandla Mpofu insists that his boys are ready to approach Galaxy with the same energy and momentum that has seen them winning the first two games of the year against Extension Gunners and Nico United.

‘’Our preparations have gone well so far and we have to go there and play the similar way we have been playing, at the same time aiming to improve our previous performance.

I think it’s going to be an interesting match on Sunday because we are playing a team that has a clear objective which is to win the championship at the end of the season. However they will have to dig dip to get three points from us because we are also going to fight and compete for the maximum points as well”.

Asked if our newly signed Zimbabwean striker Jacob Nduna Mloyi might be involved, Mpofu said: ‘’Jacob might make his debut, a good physical striker and with a powerful left foot who at any given time he may give us goals upfront and another dimension in terms of how we want to play’’.

Galaxy who are currently unbeaten completed a double over Majatlhaga last season winning the first game 3-1 at National Stadium and the second round encounter 2-0 at Galaxy Stadium in Jwaneng.

The game kicks off at 15:30HRS and will be broadcasted live on Botswana Television (BTV). Live updates will also be provided across Masitaoka’s social media platforms.

Tickets for the match are available online via Webtickets, Spar Shops countrywide and at Route 3 Pub & Grill in Molepolole at P30.00/each. No tickets will be sold at the stadium.

Masitaoka FC can confirm that it has reached an agreement with Prisons XI for the services of our three Attacking Midfielders; Tumelo Meshack, Loago Mangadi and Gofiwa Matokote on six months loan deals for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.

The agreement is standard and the trio will return to Majatlhaga camp when the 2023 Pre-season starts in July.

We wish them all the best of luck.

Masitaoka FC is delighted to announce the signing of a Goalkeeper Thabo Masule, penning a two-year deal with the club.

The 23 year old joins us from Extension Gunners. In 2021/22 season he was playing for MR Highlanders.

Masitaoka FC is delighted to announce the signing of Zimbabwean Striker Jacob Nduna Mloyi on a three-year deal.

The 22 year old joins Majatlhaga from Bulawayo City in Zimbabwe.

Mandla Mpofu, Masitaoka FC Head Coach, said: “Jacob gives us another striking dimension. He fits well with the vision of the club which is using young players”.

Let us welcome him to the team.

Masitaoka FC fought back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory over Nico United at Molepolole Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon, thanks to goals from substitutes Itumeleng Salani and Lethabo Ogotseng.

Majatlhaga bossed the early stages of the game but were not clinical in front of goals. Majombolo responded by applying pressure on Majatlhaga defence as they saw what could have been the first goal of the match being ruled out by the referee after the goal scorer handled the ball before it went in. They kept on pushing and six minutes before the half time break they got the lead through an own goal from Masitaoka skipper Ivan Kamberipa. Nico went into the tunnel leading 1-nil.

Head Coach Mandla Mpofu made changes before the second half started replacing Moloi Thuto and Gorata Bogale with Tapiwa Sepatela and Itumeleng Salani. The adjustments didn’t take long to work as Majatlhaga got the equalizer on the 48th minute when Salani headed home Olebogeng Ramotse’s cross from the corner kick.

The Blues of Kweneng continued to keep Nico United goalkeeper Gaolatlhe Tshupegetso busy with numerous attempts on targets, and could have taken the lead when Christopher Lemme was left with the keeper to beat inside the 18 yard area but Tshupegetso made a crucial save to keep out the striker’s effort. The technical team then made changes in a bid to improve the attacking intensity going forward with the introduction of Simbarashe Manyoni, Lethabo Ogotseng and Losika Ratshukudu.

Majatlhaga sealed the victory late in referee’s additional time when Ogotseng showed an incredible leap as he jumped over the goalkeeper and headed into the net after Kamberipa floated a lovely cross in the box.

Speaking after the match coach Mpofu his post-match thoughts;

“At times you need luck in football and we were lucky to get the winner today. I feel our opponents played much better than us but we showed a lot of big character to turn things around in the second especially after the introduction of Salani and Sepatela. Overall I’m happy with the 3 points but not the way we played”.

Masitaoka’s next assignment is against second placed Jwaneng Galaxy in Molepolole on Sunday, 22 January 2023 kicking off at 1530HRS.

Line-Up: James (16), Thuto (28) (Sepatela 7’), Gabadise (5), Kamberipa © (15), Khuduga (17), Kotze (8), Ramotse (18), Bogale (2) (Salani 11’), Tsholang (19) (Ratshukudu_L 29’), Mankanku (21) (Manyoni 33’), Lemme (9) (Ogotseng 14’)
Subs Not Used: Motswagole (32), Tjizake (4), Gagoitseope (20), Ramotlhwa (23)
Head Coach: Mandla Mpofu

After a victory against Extension Gunners last weekend, Masitaoka will be back in Botswana Premier League action tomorrow for their first home game of the year against Nico United in Molepolole at Molepolole Sports Complex.

Head Coach Mandla Mpofu and his boys have been busy at training with preparations for this clash and this is what he had to say.

‘’Preparations for the next game against Nico United have gone well so far. The mood in camp is high, the boys seem to be excited with how the project of the club is going. I’m also happy with how our young players are responding to the way we want them to play, results will take care of themselves’’.

He additionally shared the team’s desired outcome for the game, ‘’Nico is a team that we can’t undermine because they are in the league to compete but for us playing at home means we have to try to give our best performance to make sure that we grind positive results’’.

Majatlhaga are still in 6th position on the Botswana Premier League log, with 16 points after 10 games, whereas Majombolo are currently occupying 10th position with 11 points collected from 10 games as well.

Masitaoka will be without key players; Striker Ambrosius Amseb and winger Tlhago Ratshukudu who are both ruled out through injuries but have been boosted by the return of right fullback Tapiwa Sepatela and midfielder Itumeleng Salani.

The game kicks off at 15:30HRS and will be broadcasted live on Botswana Television (BTV). Live updates will also be provided across Masitaoka’s social media platforms.

Tickets for the match are available online via Webtickets, Spar Shops countrywide and at Route 3 Pub & Grill in Molepolole at P30.00/each. No tickets will be sold at the stadium.

Masitaoka FC can officially confirm that the club has parted ways with Goalkeeper Katlego Mbise. His contract has been terminated due to numerous disciplinary issues and breach of the club’s code of conduct.

Mbise joined us at the beginning of 2021/22 season from Jwaneng Galaxy. The 27-year-old’s deal was initially due to expire at the end of June 2023. He featured in 13 games for Majatlhaga as well as keeping 2 cleansheets.

Everyone at the club wishes Katlego all the best for the future.

Masitaoka FC resumed their 2022/23 Botswana Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Extension Gunners at Lobatse Sports Complex on Saturday evening. First starter Moloi Donald Thuto gave Majatlhaga the lead on the 66th minute with a sublime finish following a good team build up.

Kicking off the year 2023 with an away fixture, youthful Majatlhaga looked to bounce back from the defeat they suffered in the previous game, having lost 2-0 at home to Gaborone United prior to the festive season break.

Head Coach Mandla Mpofu made three changes in the line-up giving a 16 year-old Losika Ratshukudu premier league debut, Moloi Donald Thuto replaced injured Tapiwa Sepatela at right back position and lastly 19 year-old playmaker Gorata Bogale was given his first start playing in the attacking midfield role. Another debutant on the day Brian Vuyo Mankanku started the match on the bench against his former side.

The game started at a high pace with the visitors setting the tone by dominating ball possession in the opposition half looking for the opening goal. Striker Christopher Lemme had the first shot on target for Majatlhaga testing Gunners goalkeeper Isaac Moyo with a powerful shot inside the box with his weaker left foot which was saved for a corner kick. On the other side Gunners tested Victor James from a set piece after Marius Kotze committed a foul outside the box but James was alert and made a fine save as he parried the ball away. The two teams went into the half time break on level terms.

Second half began with Majatlhaga putting pressure on the home side especially after the introduction of Brian Mankanku who replaced Losika Ratshukudu at half time. The creative trio of Tsholang, Bogale and Mankanku was creating problems for Gunners defence.

Masitaoka pressure paid off on the 66th minute, with Moloi Thuto receiving the ball just outside the box before cutting inside to create a shooting space and found the bottom corner with an excellent shot from just inside the penalty area.

It could have been 2-0 on the 76th minute when substitute Lethabo Ogotseng who was unmarked at the far post received a fine cross from Mankanku but could not find the target. The only goal sealed Majatlhaga first away and fifth victory of the season.

Masitaoka are next in action at home on the 14th of January 2023 against Nico United, kicking off at 1600HRS.

Line-Up: James (16), Thuto (28), Gabadise (5), Kamberipa © (15), Khuduga (17), Kotze (8), Ramotse (18) (Ramotlhwa 23’), Bogale (2) (Gagoitseope 20’), Tsholang (19) (Manyoni 33’), Ratshukudu_L (29) (Mankanku 21’), Lemme (9) (Ogotseng 14’)

Subs Not Used: Motswagole (32), Tjizake (4), Van-Neel (22), Molelowamodimo (24)

Head Coach: Mandla Mpofu

Following the festive season break, Masitaoka will be back in Premier League action and looking to collect maximum points from their 2023 opening clash when they travel to Lobatse to face Extension Gunners on Saturday night.

Both Majatlhaga and Mapantsola lost their previous league encounters last year. Masitaoka lost 2-0 against log leaders Gaborone United while the hosts were beaten 1-0 by Premier League newcomers Nico United.

Masitaoka and Gunners last met in February 2022 and Majatlhaga collected three points from that match winning 2-1 courtesy of a brace from Ambrosius Amseb at Royal Aria Stadium in Tlokweng.

Coach Mandla Mpofu’s side will be without three key players; Tapiwa Sepatela, Itumeleng Salani and Tlhago Ratshukudu who are all side-lined by injuries.

The fixture is scheduled to kick off at 19:00HRS on Saturday at Lobatse Sports Complex. Live updates will also be provided across Masitaoka’s social media platforms.

Tickets for the match are available online via Webtickets and across Spar Shops countrywide at P50.00 Grand Stand and P30.00 Elsewhere. No tickets will be sold at the stadium.

The much anticipated meeting of Masitaoka FC and title holders Gaborone United headlines Botswana Premier League week 9 games. The two sides will meet at Molepolole Sports Complex on Wednesday afternoon, 21st of December 2022.

Coach Mandla Mpofu’s side will be looking for maximum points in this game following their disappointing 1-1 draw in their previous game against Mogoditshane Fighters, whereas high flying Moyagoleele who are led by Benny Kgomela will go into this match with the intention of extending their impressive winning streak this season.

Gaborone United were victorious the last time these two sides met in the league, thanks to Kennedy Amutenya’s towering header that separated them on the day.

Majatlhaga will be boosted by the return of Namibian playmaker Ambrosius Obry Amseb who missed two previous matches due to an ankle injury.

This unpredictable encounter will start at 15:30HRS and it will be broadcasted live on Botswana Television. Live updates will also be provided across Masitaoka’s social media platforms.

Tickets for the match are available online via Webtickets (https://www.webtickets.co.bw/events/featured/botswana-football-league/4274142) and across Spar Shops countrywide at P30.00/each. No tickets will be sold at the stadium.