ORAPA’S ORANGE SQUEEZE
Ostriches crush Chadibe to set up Rollers date
A dominant Orapa United proved too strong for Chadibe FC on Sunday, brushing the First Division minnows aside to set up a titanic Orange FA Cup quarter-final with Township Rollers.
The mouth-watering meeting with Popa is a repeat of the 2019 final, when the Ostriches ran out 3-0 victors.
Orapa have not tasted silverware since that memorable night in Francistown, falling agonisingly short in last year’s final against Gaborone United; they look hungry to make amends.
Putting their patchy league form aside, which has seen the Boys from Boteti win just three of their last 16 matches, Orapa bossed proceedings at the Chad Arena, adapting well to the dusty, blustery conditions.
Wary of a potential giant-killing, Coach Gadimang Tiiso named a strong side for the cup clash, making just two changes from the XI that started against Police XI in the league last time out, bringing in Keeagile Kgosipula in net and Kagisano Mungu up front.
With midfield maestro, Kelvin Bingala, controlling the game in the middle of the park, the Oranges squeezed their lower league opponent’s right from the start, hunting an early goal to silence the hostile home support.
They struck in the 34th minute, just when Chadibe appeared to have weathered the storm.
Facing their first corner, Abafana Ba Jabulile were undone by Atamelang Lesogo’s in-swinging set-piece.
Rashly leaving his line, goalkeeper, Henry July got nowhere near the cross, Tinashe Balakasi rising highest in the crowded box to head the ball into the unguarded net.
To their credit, Chadibe fought back well, taking full advantage of Orapa’s lackluster start to the second half.
The tie exploded into life in the 52nd minute, striker Keepile Akanyang firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner to send the home fans wild.
For the next ten minutes, Chadibe dared to dream, playing some excellent passing football as they took the attack to their Premier League opponents in thrilling fashion.
Although they came close, marauding left-back, Cyprian Masule, unfortunate to see his effort trickle narrowly wide of the post, they couldn’t quite force a second.
Instead, it was Orapa who scored the all-important next goal, July somehow allowing Gofaone Mabaya’s low, bobbling long-range shot to squirm through him.
Two minutes later and it was effectively game over, Mungu reacting fastest to blast home from a tight angle.
Their spirit broken, Chadibe were indebted to their keeper for keeping the scoreline respectable, July making several top saves. The gloveman could do nothing about Orapa’s fourth, however, Mabaya nipping in to grab his second in the 79th minute.
Orapa now have their sights set on bigger prey...