Diamond mining town sides Jwaneng Galaxy and Orapa United started off their respective CAF champions’ league and confederations cup campaigns on a bright note.
Galaxy swathed away Central Africa Republic side DFC 8eme Arrondissement in their preliminary opener while Orapa United played a goalless draw against Gabonese side AS Mongasport.
Hosting DFC 8eme Arrondissement at the National Stadium in Gaborone on Saturday, Galaxy took advantage of home ground and went on the rampage to brush aside the Central Africa Republic with a 2 – 0 score line.
It was debutants Lucky Mokoena and Wendell Rudath who fired Galaxy to a two nil lead ahead of the second-round encounter slated for 17th September in Cameroon. Former Mpumalanga FC player Mokoena came from the bench in the second half to open his Galaxy account with a goal, and Namibia’s Rudath was not to be left behind as he also proved his mettle netting the second goal. The two-nil win will be flattering for DFC 8eme Arrondissement as Galaxy missed an avalanche scoring opportunities.
In their starting lineup, Galaxy boasts of experienced players in the likes of national team shot stopper Ezekiel Morake, Thabo Leinanyane, Gape Mohutsiwa and Gilbert Baruti.
Elsewhere, Botswana’s representatives in the confederations cup Orapa United played to a goalless draw against AS Mangasport of Gabon away from home. Despite playing away, gaffer Philemon Makhwengwe opted for a totally offensive display as he unleashed an all star frontline led by Omaatla Kebatho, Onkabetse Makgantai, Thero Setsile and Gofaone Mabaya, all of whom have donned the national team colors. Orapa United will host Mangasport this weekend and the national stadium.
Galaxy and Orapa United are playing in their second consecutive campaign of the CAF club championships. In the last edition, Orapa United was eliminated by AS Kigali in the preliminary stage of the confederation cup. It was a challenging outing for Galaxy as well as it kick-started their last campaign against African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in the champion’s league and relegated to the confederation cup. Their quest was dealt a blow with another fixture against South African side Orlando Pirates ending their campaign.
