In an eagerly anticipated showdown, Orapa United and JwanengGalaxy are poised to headline the 2024 Orange FA Cup final after both teams emerged victorious in their respective semifinal matches. Jwaneng Galaxy secured their place in the final by defeating UB Hawks, while Orapa United overcame Francistown club TAFIC, setting the stage for a clash between the two mining clubs. They will compete for the P800,000 prize money.
The final is scheduled to take place at the Obed Itani ChilumeStadium in Francistown on June 15th, 2024, with the match set to kick off at 15:00 hrs. Morena Ramoreboli’s Galaxy reached the Orange FA Cup final after five attempts, having been knocked out in the early rounds in previous seasons. The Orange FA Cup remains the only major trophy Galaxy has yet to win in the club’s history. They now stand on the brink of a historic league and cup double if they prevail against Orapa United.
On the other hand, Orapa United, known as “The Ostriches,” will be appearing in their third Orange FA Cup final. They previously triumphed in their maiden final against Township Rollers with a 3-0 victory but fell short last year, losing 1-0 to Gaborone United.
In an interview ahead of the final, football analyst KagisoMzambo Kgaogano noted the unpredictability of a final match, emphasising that “a final game can go either way as there’s no chance for any team to say we will come back in the next game.”
Kgaogano, who closely observed the final league game between the two teams, remarked on Orapa United’s tenacity. “Having watched the final game of the league which was against these two teams, I would say Orapa United showed too much hunger even though they lost the game 1-0. They fought until the last minute.”
However, Kgaogano stressed that Orapa United would need to dig deep to secure a victory in the FA Cup.
“Galaxy has been consistent in the last two seasons, having managed to win the league back-to-back and also doing well in the CAF Champions League. They have shown quality in every department.”
One of the standout players for Jwaneng Galaxy is ThabangSesinyi, who has been the league’s top goal scorer for three consecutive seasons. Kgaogano highlighted Sesinyi’s consistent performance as a key factor in Galaxy’s success. “Their player Thabang Sesinyi has been consistent, winning the league top goal scorer thrice in the past three seasons, so I would put my head on the block and say Galaxy is going to win this one,” Kgaogano confidently predicted.
The upcoming final promises to be a thrilling contest between two formidable sides. Orapa United will be determined to add a second Orange FA Cup title to their accolades, while Jwaneng Galaxy will aim to clinch the elusive trophy and achieve a historic double. Football enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the clash, which is set to provide an exciting spectacle and a fitting conclusion to the Orange FA Cup competition.
As the two mining giants prepare to face off, the stage is set for a memorable encounter in Francistown. The teams’ contrasting journeys and aspirations add an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be a captivating final. With both clubs boasting impressive records and determined squads, fans can expect a high-stakes battle for glory in the 2024 Orange FA Cup final.
