Popa Roll Over Highlanders To Reach FA Cup Semis
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday November 15, 2021 16:00
Popa will face Masitaoka in the semi-finals while Gaborone United has been drawn against Jwaneng Galaxy in the other semi-final tie. It is the home side who looked lively from the first whistle with full back, Jackson Lesole doing all the hard work. In the eighth minute, Lebopo Moremi's long range effort went over the bar. Popa finally opened the scores in the 10th minute with Tlhalefo Molebatsi chipping over advancing goalkeeper. Rollers went 2-0 up two minutes later as Lemponye Tshireletso volleyed in Aaron Marc Dion's cross.
After the two goals, Highlanders resorted to a more defensive approach. The team switched Tshenolo Raditsebe for Botlhe Rakaki while on the opposite side, Rollers were forced to replace Onkarabile Ratanang with Kago Monyake due to an injury. Popa kept the two goal lead at the half time break. Popa tried to continue where they left off in the first half as Tshireletso had his shot saved just two minutes into the second half, while a minute later on the other end Keorapetse Ramakgathi had Highlanders first shot at goal which was easily saved by the goalkeeper. Mohammed Diallo made it 3-0 for Rollers, nodding in a corner kick in the 54th minute.
Diallo bagged his brace in the 72nd minute with yet another headed goal. A few minutes later, substitute Jean Bertrand Irandukunda tried with an effort outside the box but it went over the goal. Speaking after the match, Rollers' coach Hassan Oktay said his side deserved a semi-final spot after a brilliant display. "It was clean game, good game with a positive result. My boys tried 100% today and they deserve to play the semi-finals. I have been here for three months myself and I think I should give credit to my (coaching) staff. They have been working hard. The players also have been working hard and the professionalism is there," he said.
His counterpart, Highlanders' Blessing Moyo felt his side were handed a good lesson. "Honestly I am not worried about that (scoreline). We are a team of young players; it is new team and together we are learning. Except that, we did not have many chances. I am fine we kept the shape we will improve," he said.
The Teams:
Rollers: Keeagile Kgosipula, Jackson Lesole, Simisane Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Onkarabile Ratanang, Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Lebopo Moremi (Edwin Moalosi), Lemponye Tshireletso (Phenyo Serameng), Tlhalefo Molebatsi (Brian Mankanku), Mohammed Diallo, Aaron Marc Dion (Jean Bertrand Irandukunda)
Highlanders: Thabo Masule, Bakang Thankane, Kgosi Raditsebe, Onkarabile Tsheko, Simon Bapaletswe, Rapelang Keogotsitse (Mompoloki Samachana), Botlhe Rakaki (Tshenolo Raditsebe (Thabang Thotsapele), Kutlo Molelowamodimo, Mompati Ishmael (Bokang Rathipana), Keorapetse Ramakgathi (Lucky Molefe), Kemoreng Batisani
Rollers 4 (Molebatsi eighth, Tshireletso 10th, Diallo 54th, 72nd) Highlanders 0