Motlhape Academy Thrashes Shining Stars 5-0 In Friendly

Motlhape Football Academy delivered a stunning performance against Shining Stars, securing a resounding 5-0 victory in a friendly match held at Orel Christian School on 26 July 2025. The match kicked off at 9:50 am, and the Academy's dominance was evident from the outset, showcasing their attacking prowess and solid defensive structure.

Motlhape lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, which allowed for a fluid attacking style while maintaining defensive stability. Notwane Ishmael took his position in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Tokologo Jr on the right, Chabalala Nhlulo and Mothobekhi Maphama as central defenders, and Temba Junior on the left. The midfield trio featured Mothobekhi Matome on the right, Rampsa Brandon in the centre, and Mothobekhi Innocent on the left, providing both creativity and support to the forwards. Up front, jr Sebina and Kapa Thatego operated as right and left forwards respectively, with Khashane Junior leading the line as the central striker. The substitutes for the match included Machubeni Puseletso, Monyela Katlego, and Raolane Blessing.

The scoring opened early in the match when Kapa Thatego found the back of the net in the 7th minute, courtesy of a short pass from Mothobekhi Innocent. Thatego's left-footed strike set the tone for what would be a dominant display from the Academy. Just ten minutes later, Innocent himself got on the scoresheet, unleashing a powerful long-range effort from outside the box after receiving a cross from Temba Junior in the 17th minute.

Rampsa Brandon added to the tally in the 25th minute with a spectacular goal, a true screamer that came from a well-placed cross by jr Sebina. The Academy's attacking momentum continued unabated, and they went into half-time with a commanding 3-0 lead.

After the break, Mothobekhi Innocent struck again in the 36th minute, this time converting a short pass from Kapa Thatego inside the box, showcasing his clinical finishing ability. The fourth goal came shortly after, in the 42nd minute, when Khashane Junior capitalised on a defensive mistake, slotting the ball home from close range to extend the lead to 5-0.

The second half saw tactical substitutions made by Motlhape, with Machubeni Puseletso replacing Tokologo Jr and Monyela Katlego coming on for Mothobekhi Maphama at the start of the half. Raolane Blessing entered the fray in the 50th minute, taking the place of jr Sebina, as the Academy looked to maintain their dominance and control the game.

Despite the substitutions, Motlhape continued to dictate the pace of the match, demonstrating their depth and versatility. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive victory for Motlhape Football Academy, with Mothobekhi Innocent earning the accolade of Player of the Match for his outstanding performance, contributing significantly to both the scoreline and the overall team effort.