Money Machine take control as TAFIC and Galaxy slip-up
Gaborone United assumed control of the title race on Wednesday evening, moving two points clear at the top of the FNB Premiership with a comfortable 3-0 thrashing of Matebele FC. It proved a perfect midweek for the Money Machine.
While GU cruised to victory, elsewhere, despite dominating, Jwaneng Galaxy failed to find a way past Township Rollers, while TAFIC FC let a 1-0 lead slip to draw with Morupule Wanderers.
This leaves Moyagoleele in prime position to seal their 8th league crown.
With one finger on the trophy, the Reds can seal the deal on Saturday if they beat Galaxy as first hosts second in what is set to be one of the biggest club games in Botswana football’s history. Lose, and the mining side would snatch the advantage, replacing GU at the summit going into the last match of the season. That’s how fine the margins are as the Premier League gets the thrilling climax it deserves!
Current Standings (as of May 17, 2025):
1. Gaborone United: 63 points (29 games played)
2. TAFIC: 59 points (29 games played)
3. Jwaneng Galaxy: 58 points (29 games played)
The margins were anything but fine at the Gaborone United Stadium on Wednesday, however, as GU emerged worthy winners, dominating Matebele from start to finish.
Leading from the front, Captain Mpho Kgaswane quickly laid any nerves to rest, a clinical 10th-minute strike from the edge of the box giving GU a lead they never looked like relinquishing.
Midfield maestro, Thatayaone Ditsele and winger, Omphile Ramogapi were instrumental in the well-worked goal; Ditsele’s clever through ball opening up Kuka Ntsu’s static defense.
Ditsele in particular was excellent, the playmaker dictating the tempo throughout the match and at the heart of the Reds’ attacking play.
Stunned by the early setback, to their credit Matebele grew into the game as the half wore on, finding some momentum and carving out a couple of decent chances.
They failed to build on this impetus after the restart, GU returning from the interval with renewed hunger, tightening their grip on proceedings.
Their relentless pressure was rewarded just before the hour mark, Ramogapi doubling the advantage, slotting in from close range after he was picked out by Thabo Maponda.
Two became three soon after, defender Tatenda Gora getting his name on the scoresheet in the 76th minute to end Matebele’s already fading resistance.
Speaking after the match, GU Head Coach, Dimitar Pantev praised his team for an assured performance and sticking to the game plan.
“I think we played well. We created a lot of chances and tried to use some mistakes in their last defense line because under pressure they didn’t have enough confidence. We gave them the ball too easily towards the end of the first half, but in the second half, we fixed the problem and had more confidence,” said the Bulgarian, who only joined United in January.
With two extremely tricky games still to come—at home to Galaxy and then away at fierce rivals Rollers—Pantev stressed nothing has been won yet.
“Three points were important for us. We’re looking for points. Now we need to recover our players because we have a very difficult match against Galaxy in two days,” he said.
The result takes the rampant Reds winning spree to seven in a row; they have been unstoppable since losing to Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the start of March. One more victory, and the league is theirs!
In the opposite dugout, Matebele’s Head Coach, Sean Connor admitted his boys faded away badly after half-time.
“Disappointing performance. We tried a slightly different shape and to really get into them. The first half was okay; we played as good a football as they did and probably should have scored. But the second half was a disaster. We had a game plan, but it didn’t work,” conceded the Irishman.
