Rollers stretch unbeaten record

Kabelo Boranabi | Monday February 28, 2022 16:00

The Botswana Premier League tie was played at the National Stadium under floodlights on Saturday evening. The league's oldest rivals met under contrasting terms with Popa trying to stay on log leaders, Gaborone United (GU)'s heels while Toronto are looking to move away from the relegation positions. It took Rollers just two minutes to open the scores as Simisane Mathumo nodded in Onkarabile Ratanang's free kick.

Seven minutes later, Bame Morwalela hit the upright from a lowly driven cross from Motsholetsi Sikele. Popa continued to dominate the attack lines early in the game with their opponents looking rather unsettled.

On the 29th minute, Phenyo Serameng tried a shot from just outside the box but the goalkeeper easily collected. Just two minutes to the half time break, Morwalela for the second time in the half, hit the upright. The Blues took a 1-0 lead to the half time break.

From the break, Rollers continued to look the better of the two sides while Toronto hardly looked like a threat. Tlhalefo Molebatsi saw his shot splendidly saved by goalkeeper, Bophelo Kealeboga on the 56th minute.

Notwane started to get on their rhythm but failed to pierce through the opposition's wall. The tie got lively in the final 10 minutes with two goals scored. On the 80th minute, Sikele made it 2-0 for the Blues before substitute, Aobakwe Tshobo scored his side's consolation goal on the stroke of full time. Rollers bagged the maximum points with a second consecutive derby win. "We always try to do our best in every game.

We always try to do better than the previous game.

I think if we do well, we will be where we want to be at the at the end of the season. But I think we lacked a bit of sharpness in terms of our running, but on the other hand we created a lot of chances and credit to their goalkeeper. Overall I am happy with the results not particularly with the performance," Rollers' coach, Romain Folz said after the game. His counterpart, Notwane's Shishi Mogopodi believes his side was condemned to defeat after conceding an early goal.

The Teams:

Notwane: Bophelo Kealeboga, Kaelo Kgaswane, Botshelo Mafoko, Sthembile Mbuqe, Galabgwe Moyana, Joseph Pyele, Tlotlo Kgosimore (AobakweTshobo), Karabo Rabasadi (Thato Gabatlokwe), Tshepo Ramhenngwa, Katlego Koobake, Brian Botsang

Rollers: Kabelo Dambe, Motsholetsi Sikele (Jackson Lesole), Simisane Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Onkarabile Ratanang, Kutlwelo Mpolokang (Maano Ditshupo), Phenyo Serameng, Segolame Boy, Tlhalefo Molebatsi, Aaron Marc Dion (Ovella Ochieng), Bame Morwalela (Lemponye Tshireletso)

Cautions: Mpolokang, Ochieng

Notwane 1 (Tshobo (90+3) Rollers 2 (Mathumo 2nd, Sikele 80th)