ORAPA WINS MASCOM TOP 8 AHEAD OF ROLLERS

BY:Phodiso Gaebepe

In life, no matter how fearless, strong and dominant over the rest; there is this one person who has a way of getting away with you, especially in defining moments. This is the story between Orapa United and Township Rollers  in Mascom Top 8 and other competitions locally.

It is evident now after a master clash between the two teams where Orapa clinched the Mascom Top 8 trophy at a fully packed Obert Itani Chilume stadium 4-3 in the penalty shootouts after one all draw from the extra time in the final.

THE TEAMS MET 3 TIMES IN MASCOM TOP 8

The two teams met for the third time in the Mascom Top 8 final and Orapa leads the race with two wins over one for Rollers. This goes on to show even in the league as Popa hardly collects six points from the Boteti based side.

This war seems to be far from over as the two teams possess more purchasing power than most of the teams in the league which allows them to buy quality players available home and around the leagues closer to ours.

The other factor is that every player wants to find themselves donning the colors of the two teams. This gives them an urge over their peers.

According to Orapa  coach Mogomotsi Mpote, his side had prepared well ahead of the much anticipated final in terms of fitness and tactics. He went on to say that he did not prepare for the penalty shootouts nor trained them as it is a responsibility of a player to learn that on their own. He said he was ready to finish the game in the regulation time.

However the story is different for Frank Nuttall as his side suffered a defeat in a match many thought he would redeem himself after a disappointing loss in the Gaborone derby over the past weekend. He said it is a tough one for him as he hates losing a game.

Nuttall said, it is a tough one today because we put so much effort into the match, but it is gone you know and we dust ourselves down , we are very much in a hunt for the league, we are still in the FA Cup, so we will dust ourselves up .

Meanwhile, Orapa United joined likes of Gaborone United, Township Rollers and Jwaneng Galaxy to ever win the Mascom Top 8 twice.Life continues this weekend in the Orange FA Cup in which the Ostriches have to defend in a headlining match of the weekend with Gaborone United.