Mascom Charity Cup marred by low attendance
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Orapa United (Bingala 28th) Security Systems
FRANCISTOWN: Low attendance by football fans was the highlight of the weekend’s Mascom Charity Cup held at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium on Saturday.
Orapa United were crowned champions of the tournament after defeating Security Systems by a solitary goal in the final. The stadium has over the years earned a reputation for attracting many spectators.
But on Saturday all the three charity cup matches (two semifinals and the final) attracted a paltry crowd. While there were no official figures of attendance disclosed, a hypothetical analysis showed that the attendance was very low compared to previous bigger football matches staged at the stadium.
There were many empty seats around the facility.
It was not clear why the fans stayed away from the one-day tournament, but some speculated that the absence of the country’s most supported club, Township Rollers might have been one of the contributing factors to the low turnout. Rollers did not secure enough votes to be part of the tournament, something that came as a shock to many pundits.
Gaborone United, one of the country’s most supported teams were eliminated in the semifinal, which aggravated the situation. Many had assumed that if Moya goleele made it to the final more supporters would turn up. The Ostriches and Systems do not enjoy massive support in local football.
The match also coincided with Franco’s Soul Fill Up music festival in Gaborone. There were suggestions that some people might have travelled for the festival. Others blamed lack of solid activations for the low attendance.
The final between Orapa United and Security failed to live up to expectations. The tempo of the match was relatively low although the Ostriches enjoyed much possession. Given their cup pedigree in recent years, Orapa were favourites to win the final when pitted against their opponents.
Systems goalkeeper, Karabo Gaolebale received his first stern test of the match in the 13th minute when he superbly blocked Omaatla Kebatho’s shot from a distance.
Two minutes later, Lemogang Maswena sent his shot wide with Gaolebale the only man to beat after he had been set up from the middle. Systems did gain momentum after the 20th minute although they could not connect in the final third. They did have a chance to score in the 26th minute when striker, Letlhogonolo Chenjela was set up by Tawana Mbakile through a header inside the box but Lesenya Malapela did well to avert the danger.
Orapa found the back of the net in the 28th minute through midfielder Kelvin Bingala who scored a well executed shot from the edge of the box after being set up by talisman Kebatho, who started the semifinal match on the bench.
Towards the end of the first half, Systems did try to pile pressure on United, launching several crosses in the Ostriches goal areas but their efforts were dealt with by an enterprising Malapela, who scooped the goalkeeper of the tournament award. Malapela also produced a man of the match performance in the semifinal against GU.
Just after the break the alarm boys substituted Chenjela in favour of a pacey Letsile Montsho. The latter did brought an impact as he gave Orapa defenders a torrid time with his quickness and silky touches on the ball.
Maswena could have found the second goal for United in the 53rd minute but he failed to beat an advancing Gaolebale and sent his shot wide.
The last 20 minutes were entirely dull with both sides struggling to click. In the 76th minute an unmarked Letsile was denied from pointblank range by Malapela. Towards the last minutes, Orapa adopted a very defensive approach with their wingers spending of the time on their own half.
The Alarm boys did try to utilise the height of substitute Ronald Chikomo by launching several high balls inside the United goal area but were unsuccessful. Orapa managed to hold on to win the cup.
Malapela also produced a man of the match performance in the semifinal
against GU.
The teams:
United: Lesenya Malapela, Mpho Kgaswane, Lesenya Ramoraka, Thato Seagateng, Tapiwa Nyamanjiva, Thabang Mosige, Onkemetse Powe (Tumelo Majola), Kelvin Bingala, Omatla Kebatho, Gofaone Mabaya, Lemogang Maswena (Mbatshi Elias)
Systems: Karabo Gaolebale, Benson Mangolo, Aobakwe Radikolana, Osego Gaotewe, Bophelo Macheng, Thato Ogopotse, Tawana Mbakile (Molaodi Tlhalefang), Kenanao Kgetholetsile, Letlhogonolo Chenjela (Letsile Montsho), Takunda Sadiki (Ronald Chikomo-57), Morris Ruzivo