Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo
A lapse in concentration by Orapa United’s defenders in the last minute of the Orange FA Cup final against giants Gaborone United, led to a goal that cost Taurai Mangwiro silverware on his debut Botswana season yesterday.
The former Harare City gaffer saw his Orapa United going down 1-0 to Gaborone United in a final played at the National Stadium on Saturday.
Thatayaone Kgamanyane headed home the winner in the last minute of additional time.
A visibly disappointed Mangwiro described the defeat as cruel, as they dominated play, creating numerous scoring opportunities which they failed to convert.
“It’s a cruel world. I thought we gave it a good fight, I owe it to the players, they were brilliant today.
“Tough luck to our legion of travelling fans, the sponsors, management and technical staff. We gave it a fight but fell short,” a clearly dejected Mangwiro said in his post-match interview.
Two Zimbabwean players, Tapiwa Nyamanjiva and Kelvin Bingala started for Mangwiro. He went on to withdraw Bingala in the second half and introduced ex-Harare City’s Anelka Chivandire.
Mangwiro brought in another Zimbabwean attacker, Wilfred Muvirimi for Lemogang Maswena in the second half as he sought to kill the encounter.
It was a rollercoaster of a season for Mangwiro whose team finished third on the Premiership standings behind champions Jwaneng Galaxy and runners-up Gaborone United.
To reach the final, Mangwiro’s Orapa United knocked out Nico United 1-0 in the opening round, went on to beat Extension Gunners 4-2 after penalties in a round of 16 match that had ended 0-0 in regulation time.
Orapa United then ended Jwaneng Galaxy’s dream of a league and cup double, eliminating them from the Orange FA Cup 3-1 after penalty shootouts.
The quarter-final match had ended 0-0 after regulation time.
In the semi-finals, Mangwiro needed penalty shootouts to knock out countryman Mandla Mpofu who coaches Masitaoka FC, winning the encounter 4-3 after penalties. Again, that game had ended 0-0 after regulation time.
But on Saturday, as they were seconds away from extra time, Gaborone United struck to lift the Orange FA Cup.
-@ZililoR
Online Reporter