Goals galore as an all-premier league semi-final is set

It was goal galore this past weekend as the Covid-19 delayed semi-finals of the second edition of the Orange FA Cup were finally played.

While there were spills of Covid-19 on the stand, thanks to the flagrant disregard for protocols, the actual games served some thrills and goals aplenty.

In the first semifinal on Friday night, Jwaneng Galaxy fought from a goal down to book a place in the semifinal after beating Notwane 4 – 1. Following a goalless first half, Notwane took an unexpected lead on the 47^th minute courtesy of Aobakwe Tshobo’s well executed set piece.

The goal opened flood gates as Galaxy went on the rampage, scoring four goals with Lucky Mokoena and second half substitute Resaobaka Thatanyane helping themselves to a brace each.

Notwane’s capitulation started and concluded in a space of a frenetic four minutes of the second half as the duo scored in the 61^st, 62^nd and 65^th minutes to give Galaxy complete control of the game. Following Mokoena’s substitution, it was left to Thatanyane to finish off the work wrap up the match which he did on the 93^rd minute.

In the only least scoring game at the Royal Aria Stadium on Saturday, on fire Gaborone United was forced to dig deep to ward of a stubborn Police XI. A timely header from veteran striker Kekaetswe ‘Mara’ Moloi on the 33^rd minute proved to be the difference.

While more was expected from GU considering their rich vein of form, Police XI proved more than just a pushover as they made ‘The Reds’ sweat for their victory. While GU rued some missed chances, the game could have gone either way as Police XI also missed some few opportunities to at least draw the match and take it to the lottery of penalties.

Still at the Royal Aria Stadium, Township Rollers put four past a hapless Mahalapye Railways Highlanders as the weekend goal fest resumed. That ‘Stimela,’ as Highlanders is affectionately called, was lost became apparent early on in the game as Tlhalefo Molebatsi and Lemponye tshireletso netted for Rollers on the 10^th and 12^th minute respectively.

Lanky forward Mohamed Diallo then made sure Rollers were safe in the semis with a brace of headed goals, first converting Katlego Monyake’s cross in the 54^th minute before doing the same to substitute Edwin Moalosi’s cross in the 72^nd minute.

Elsewhere, Masitaoka routed minnows Calendar Stars 3 – 1 to ensure there is no David defeats Goliath story in the semifinals or even the finals. The minnows had threatened to cause an upset as they took the lead on the 11^th minute thanks to a Koketso Majafe own goal.

It was however not to be for Calendar Stars as Masitaoka levelled matters on the 34^th minute courtesy of Oteng Dintwa before Walter Mukanga gave them the lead on the 54^th minute. Despite holding their own, Stars hopes of levelling the match was cancelled on the 93^rd minute as Emmanuel Ditodi put the match to rest.

Meanwhile, Masitaoka will now be an underdog as they take on the resurgent Rollers in the semifinals. Elsewhere, the on form GU will face the potent Galaxy in what will be the pick of the Orange FA Cup semifinal games.