Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote’s unbeaten streak in the cup finals at the Obed Itani Stadium continued this past weekend as Orapa United were crowned winners of the inaugural Mascom Charity Cup tournament.
Kelvin Bingala’s strike from a well worked Omaatla Kebatho assist on the 28th minute was all it took for Mpote’s charges to put Security Systems to the sword and write their name in history. Receiving a ball from a throw in, Kebatho perfectly laid the ball to Bingala who showed no charity as he slammed it home.
Despite having had just 2 hours to recuperate before the final as compared to Systems who had five (5) hours, Mpote’s charges looked the likelier to win from the onset as they were able to manage the intensity and pace of the game better.
After taking a 1 – 0 lead to recess, all Orapa needed from the break was to control and manage the game, which they did expertly well for the duration of the game.
The win means ‘The Ostriches’ and Mpote will now finish the season with some silverware as the team is out of the league title contention. It also gives a little breathing space for the coach who is allegedly under pressure.
Despite the quality of players and resources at their disposal, Orapa United have had a league season to forget, something which has created a friction between the coach and the team’s executive committee.
All in all, it was a deserved win for ‘The Ostriches,’ who had been the best of the lot in what was a disappointing one-day charity tournament. On their way to the final, Orapa had dispatched tournament favourites Gaborone United 5 – 3 on penalty shoot-out in what was deemed a final before final.
The latter game, which was played under heat sapping conditions, was the pick of the game on the day and the teams gave their all. In the end, both teams had to be separated by penalty shoot-out after playing to a 1 all draw.
Earlier on the day, Systems had also edged out other final favourites BDF XI 4 – 3 on penalties after both had played to a 1 all draw.
For all their day’s work in sweltering heat, Orapa United walked away with a P250 000 pay check, while Systems walked away with a P150 000 for their efforts. Gaborone United and BDF XI on the other hand were awarded P90 000 each.
As one would expect, Orapa United players also dominated the indivual prizes categories, with Tapiwa Nyamandjiva being voted player of the tournament while his teammate Lesenya Malapela won the goalkeeper award.
