The fairytale reached a stunning new high for Eleven Angels this Saturday, the Premier League newbies sending shockwaves through the division by beating defending champions, Gaborone United, 2-1.
The result, the first time GU have suffered back-to-back defeats in the league since 12 January 2020, leaves the Money Machine eight points behind leader’s Jwaneng Galaxy with 12 games left to play. It means they have now won just once in their last six league outings, a disastrous run as unexpected as it is spectacular!
For Seemo Mpatane’s ever-improving Angels, the win – their fourth-in-a-row in all competitions – lifts them up to 7th in the table, 12 points above the relegation zone, all but assured of their BPL status for a second season.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the capital just three weeks ago and there was a buzz of expectation around the Old Francistown Stadium as the home fans turned up in numbers to see their heroes take on one of the biggest team’s in the land.
Hungry to make amends for last week’s 4-2 defeat to Orapa United, with Pontsho Moloi taking charge of the Reds for the first time since his promotion from Assistant to Head Coach, GU started the game well.
However, Moyagoleele’s promising start hit a disastrous bump in the 16th minute.
In what was Angels’ first meaningful attack, Shanganani Ngada launched a long throw into GU’s packed box. Rising highest, Ronny Leagetse beat goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko to the ball, flicking it on to the back post where an unmarked Kudzani Sibanda smashed home an unstoppable volley.
The Reds looked to hit back immediately but, despite piling on the pressure and rattling the crossbar through striker, Onkabetse Mankgantai, they could not find a way past Tamboni Bachopi in the Angels’ goal.
Bachopi then grabbed an unlikely assist in the 85th minute, his long punt downfield latched onto brilliantly by Eric Ookame after GU defender, Duncan Otieno had misjudged the flight of the ball.
Racing through on goal, the teenage striker showed great composure to score from a tight angle, expertly bending his shot round the on-rushing Phoko as the home supporters exploded with joy.
To their credit, the Money Machine kept fighting and pulled one back in the 90th minute, defender, Kennedy Amutenya heading in from a corner.
It was too little, too late, however, as Lekgamu la Bananyana held on for a famous win – arguably the biggest in the club’s 13-year history!
The Francistowners will be wary though, as GU have the chance for instant revenge.
The Reds return to the second city this Saturday where they face Angels again, this time in the last 32 of the Orange FA Cup – a tournament they have won for the last two years running.
MATCH STATS
ELEVEN ANGELS (1) 2 GABORONE UNITED (0) 1
(Sibanda 16, Ookame 85) (Amutenya 90)
35% POSSESSION 65%
9 SHOTS 13
5 ON TARGET 4
1 CORNERS 8
2 OFFSIDE 5
8 FOULS 10
1 0 CAUTIONS 1 0
