Makgantai tops Orange FA score card
TAFIC's standout forward, Onkabetse Makgantai, gracefully exits the Orange FA Cup semifinals following a 1-2 loss to Orapa United at the National Stadium last Saturday.
Despite the elimination, Makgantai expresses pride in his performance throughout the tournament, as he currently leads the scoring charts with an impressive four goals in four games. Over the weekend, Onkabetse Makgantai delivered an exceptional performance in the Orange FA Cup semi-finals against Orapa United.
Despite Tafic's defeat, Makgantai's relentless efforts made him a constant threat to the opposing team. Trailing by a goal, Makgantai managed to equalize, maintaining his outstanding form throughout the match. Despite Orapa United eventually scoring the winning goal, Makgantai's impressive display in the tournament remains undeniable with him leading the golden boot race.
As the current top goal scorer in the Orange FA Cup with four goals, Makgantai has a strong chance of winning the P30,000 prize for the season. His closest competitor, Orapa United's Gofaone Mabaya, trails behind with three goals and would need to score twice against the formidable Jwaneng Galaxy in the finals to surpass Makgantai. Orapa United's Eric Ookame and Jwaneng Galaxy's Daniel Msendami each have two goals, meaning they would need to score a hat-trick in the final match to contend for the Golden Boot award. With the difficulty of scoring in high-stakes finals, Makgantai currently holds a significant advantage in securing the coveted Golden Boot.
Expressing his disappointment in a post-match interview following Tafic's Orange FA Cup semi-final elimination, Makgantai shared that the team had aimed to reach the finals and explore their potential there. Despite being unhappy with the outcome, Makgantai acknowledged his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute his talents to the competition and showcase his abilities throughout the tournament.
"I'm pleased with my performance and goal-scoring throughout the tournament. I gave it my all and even though I'm disappointed with the semi-final results, I'm satisfied with my team's effort and the way we played. Our ultimate goal was to win the Cup, but football can be unpredictable, and we're happy with our overall performance despite being eliminated," Makgantai said.
"My primary focus wasn't on winning the Golden Boot, instead, I aimed to perform well and contribute to my team's success. Any awards resulting from our strong performances would be an added bonus. Ultimately, our main objective was to win the Orange FA Cup," he added.
Since joining TAFIC this year, Makgantai has demonstrated impressive consistency in scoring during league matches. His strong performances have continued to improve with each game, reflecting the dedication and effort he puts into becoming a great player. Makgantai shared that he has high hopes for maintaining his excellent form in future matches due to his commitment to constant improvement.