Masitaoka FC

Masitaoka forward Lethabo Ogotseng came off the bench and scored a brilliant header to help his side secure a 1-1 draw against Mogoditshane Fighters at Molepolole Sports Complex on Saturday.

Fighters broke the deadlock early in the game with Kakanyo Kethubile’s deflected strike beating the goalkeeper Victor James on the 3rd minute. Thereafter, Masitaoka went all out in attack to search for the equalizer.

Majatlhaga enjoyed the majority of ball possession throughout the first half but were unable to break down Fighters defence. The first big chance came on the 20th minute when Christopher Lemme picked out the run of Itumeleng Salani with a defence splitting pass, who was then left with only the keeper to beat but his powerful shot was saved by the goalkeeper Tshomarelo More.

Olebogeng Ramotse also had an opening late in the first half through a free kick from 20 yards but his curling effort was kept out by the goalkeeper.

From the break Masitaoka continued where they left off in the first half; there were chances for Bakang Tsholang and Ivan Kamberipa who both saw their attempts from inside the box going over the bar.

On the 67th minute Coach Mandla Mpofu introduced Lethabo Ogotseng for Salani to add some spark in the attack with two box strikers upfront. The pressure on Fighters backline paid off on the 74th minute when Ogotseng headed in a beautiful cross from Thabang Khuduga to level matters.

Both teams had several scoring chances in the remaining minutes which could have seen the winner. The draw now sees Masitaoka remain on the 6th position of Botswana Premier League Log standings with thirteen points after eight games.

Majatlhaga will now host Log leaders Gaborone United in the last game of the year this coming Wednesday (21/12/2022) at Molepolole Sports Complex.

Line-Up: James (16), Sepatela (7), Gabadise (5), Kamberipa © (15), Khuduga (17), Kotze (8), Ramotse (18) (Gagoitseope 20’), Salani (11) (Ogotseng 14’), Tsholang (19), Ratshukudu (13), Lemme (9)

Subs Not Used: Motswagole (32), Ramotlhwa (23), Molelowamodimo (24), Mangadi (12), Bogale (2), Monaheng (30)

Head Coach: Mandla Mpofu

Following their impressive victory over Township Rollers this past weekend, Majatlhaga will now lock horns against Kweneng District rivals Mogoditshane Fighters in a Botswana Premier League clash billed for Saturday afternoon at Molepolole Sports Complex.

This will be the two team’s third meeting in Botswana Football League (BFL) era, having already faced each other in the 2021/22 season. Fighters won the first round game 1-0 and the second round game clash ended in a 1-1 draw.

Head Coach; Mandla Mpofu indicated that the team is over the Rollers win and ready to fight for another win this weekend, ‘’Rollers game is history and it will never be played again, the most important game now is against Fighters which is a derby. Numbers don’t lie we haven’t beaten them, that alone makes it difficult so we will stick to our game plan and improve from last game performance”.

“In terms of the playing personnel we still don’t have Ambrosius Amseb who nursing an ankle injury even though he started light training this week, we will also not have our Vice-Captain Eric Tjizake who is mourning the death of his father”, he adds.

Masitaoka currently sit on the 6th spot after seven games with twelve points in the bag, while the hosts who collected maximum points in their previous league encounter against Extension Gunners find themselves on position 10 with eight points.

Tickets for the match are available online via Webtickets (https://www.webtickets.co.bw/event.aspx?itemid=4373210) and across Spar Shops countrywide at P30.00/each. The game will kick off at 4pm.

Clinical Majatlhaga claimed their fourth win of the 2022/23 season as they defeated Township Rollers 3-0 in the seventh week of Botswana Premier League games held at Molepolole Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Two goals from Bakang Tsholang and one from speedy winger Tlhago Ratshukudu ensured a dominating win for Masitaoka over Mapalastina; third victory from the four games between the two teams since last year December.

The visitors dominated most parts of the first half, but Majatlhaga broke the deadlock two minutes before the half time break after goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe parried Christopher Lemme’s powerful strike into the path of unmarked Bakang Tsholang, leaving him with an open net to aim from 6 yards.

The next big moment in the game came on the 47^th minute, just two minutes after the second half restart when former Rollers lad Thabang Khuduga unleashed a shot from close range which was saved by Dambe after Rollers defense failed to clear their lines following a corner kick which was well taken by Olebogeng Ramotse. Tsholang pounced and produced a remarkable piece of agility to guide the ball into the net with a header to score his third league goal of the campaign and second of the game.

With two goals down, Rollers attackers kept coming at Majatlhaga solid backline to search for openings but found it difficult to penetrate, and on the 81^st minute against the run of play Masitaoka grabbed their third of the day. Christopher Lemme found Tlhago Ratshukudu inside the box in plenty of space and he converted with ease past a diving Dambe.

Rollers attackers forced some good saves from shot stopper Victor James and the visitors thought they had pulled one back after the Namibian Striker Terry Uiseb rebound goal was ruled out for an offside following his strike that hit the post from the penalty spot.

Masitaoka are now undefeated in all their 2022/23 home games at Molepolole Sports Complex, winning all the four matches as well as keeping four clean sheets at the back.

Line-Up: James (16), Sepatela (7), Gabadise (5), Kamberipa © (15), Khuduga (17), Kotze (8), Ramotse (18), Salani (11) (Bogale 2’), Tsholang (19), Ratshukudu (13) (Monaheng 30’), Lemme (9)

Subs Not Used: Motswagole (32), Tjizake (4), Van-Neel (22), Ramotlhwa (23), Molelowamodimo (24), Gagoitseope (20), Ogotseng (14)

Cautions: 11. I, Salani 37min’

Head Coach: Mandla Mpofu

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

Masitaoka FC Mmebership Manager Mr Kabelo Sanchez Goeme, has now been appointed as the Website Content Manager for Masitaoka FC. To survive on the current digital environment, Masitaoka FC saw it fit to engage its members and other stakeholders using current digital marketing solutions. With our new website, members and stakeholders would be able to read more about the team; executive members, players’ profiles; access news, articles, fixtures and results. Further, members can download membership forms, apply online and send us emails directly from the website.

Therefore, we are pleased to announce that if there is anything that members and/or stakeholders wish can be shared or updated in our website; any improvements on how to share resources and information in our website, they should feel free to leave comments and/or suggestions in the comment section. As Masitaoka FC, we would appreciate if our members and stakeholders make use of the website to interact with the team. For further clarity, feel free to contact Mr Kabelo Sanchez Goeme on +267 72708053 (whattsaap), kabelog387@gmail.com or contact our office at +267 3112622.

The media community and the public at large is informed that Masitaoka Football Club has acquired the services of Harry Koata as the General Manager. An experienced Sports Administrator, Harry has, besides being involved in football administration locally, worked with world-class organisations such as Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) in South Africa 2010 World Cup, Brazil 2014 World Cup in Rio De Janeiro and several assignments with the Confederation of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA).

Harry’s main responsibilities include fulfilling Club licencing requirements, setting up an office and transforming Masitaoka Football Club into a commercial entity amongst other things. He is also tasked with the responsibility of establishing corporate stakeholder relationships which include technical, commercial, logistics as well membership recruitment drive.

An MBA graduate, he has been involved in financial management, marketing, corporate governance, transformation as well as business continuity in a career spanning over 32 years. Having started his assignment in July 2020, The General Manager has been working behind the scenes to manage the Club’s transition process from National First Division into the Premier League set up. His management team include Team Manager, Communications Manager and Membership Manager.

The Club is expected to open Supporters’ Branches throughout the country in due course. With the support of the management team of dedicated professionals, we are optimistic that Harry will take the Masitaoka brand to the next level as we welcome him to Majatlhaga.