Second division sides Modipane United and Kanye Swallows’ fairytale run in the prestigious Coca-Cola Cup came to an abrupt end at the weekend.┬á
By making it to the last 16, they attracted a lot of interest within the football community.
Modipane United were beaten 6-5 by Motlakase after the dreaded penalty shootout in their own backyard, while Kanye Swallows had no resistance as they were butchered 9-0 by Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the Lobatse Sports Complex.
Both sides made headlines the previous weekend as they claimed scalps of their ‘big’ brothers.
United eliminated Police XI through penalties, much to the surprise of many people. But they were not second time lucky as Motlakase proved to be too good for them in taking spot kicks. 
Despite reaching the next round of the competition, Motlakase communications officer, Monty Gagomokgwa, was not a happy man. He poured scorn on the match officials who were handling the game, saying that they had a mission of seeing his side knocked out.
“I understand why these (low) sides always struggle when they play (in the) Coca Cola Cup games out of their backyard. When you play them at their grounds, they are favoured by match officials. Ask any fair person who was in Modipane, we were denied three legitimate goals, which could have seen us ending the match in 90 minutes,” said Gagomokgwa. ┬á
Swallows, who in the last round hammered former Premier League side Boteti Young Fighters 4-1 to book a date in the Last 16 round, found Chiefs in an uncompromising  mood.
The stage proved to be big for Swallows as they found themselves trailing 5-0 at halftime.
Swallows’ vociferous supporters who tried to compete with their opponents in song and dance, found themselves having to sit and watch as their heroes were toyed around by Chiefs.
Sangeby Sandaka and Moemedi Moatlhaping each scored a hat trick; Joel Mogorosi scored twice and Tshepo Motlhabankwe scored the other goal to complete the miserable day for Swallows.
But their supporters were not worried after the game saying that Chiefs is a big side and they have learnt lessons from their opponents, which will be important in their league campaign.
The biggest winners of the last 16 round were Flamengo Santos who humbled giants Gaborone United (GU) 3-0 in a game played in Molepolole on Sunday.
First half strikes from Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele and second half goals from Bakang Moeng and Godfrey Ngele┬á were enough to see Santos continuing with the competition.┬á
Ahead of the clash, GU were looking forward to ending their terrible run in the competition but it never happened as Santos ran riot.
GU looked out of sorts for the entire afternoon and they were not helped by the lack of firepower.
Ronald Chikomo and Steven Maposa played far apart making life easier for Santos’ defence, which was led by Letsweletse ‘Ace’ Seane.
The Reds have never won the completion since its inception in 1992 and the only time they came close was in 1993 but were embarrassed 4-1 by city nemesis, Township Rollers.  
The defeat is expected to add more pressure on coach Letang ‘Rasta’ Kgengwenyane whose appointment as a gaffer was not welcomed by some quarters of GU supporters.┬á The defeat ended GU’s dreams of winning the silverware as the league is out of their reach.
Kgengwenyane admitted that they were never in the game and conceded silly goals.
“Our plan was to get an equalizer early in the second half but Santos scored those two goals which killed us,” said Kgengwenyane. ┬áMotlakase, Chiefs, Santos, BDF XI, BMC, Extension Gunners, Notwane have qualified for the quarterfinal draw which will be conducted in Tlokweng on Friday afternoon. The eighth spot shall be competed for by Township Rollers and ECCO City Greens in a delayed match scheduled for March 16 in Gaborone.
