Rollers redeem themselves in FA Cup
Larona Makhaiza | Monday April 24, 2023 16:00
The two sides had met a fortnight ago in the Premier League encounter and the Warders stunned Rollers 3-2. But on Saturday, Rollers avoided another defeat and registered a 3-1 victory to proceed to the last eight round of the knockout competition. Popa Popa started off on a strong foot, going all out searching for an early goal in the game.
It was not really long before the football fanatics got to witness the first goal of the match. On the fifth minute, Rollers drew first blood courtesy of the ever present Mogakolodi Ngele who showed his class once more.
Rollers broke on a counter attack which saw Phenyo Serameng putting in a well laid pass for Ngele just inside the 18 area and Ngele placed it well to beat goalkeeper, Tshepo Mooketsi. The early goal into the match did not seem to dampen the mood of Prisons XI and on the 10th minute, Karabo Setoutwe was denied from close range by Karamelo Kgosipula.
Rollers also maintained their attacking play and asked questions on Prisons' area in search for the second goal but decisions in the final third continued be their downfall. Jackson Lesole’s high pace on the right wing proved to be a big threat to Prisons who were failing dismally to contain him every time he made runs.
On the 26th minute, it was Ngele once more who came close to registering his name once more on the score-sheet but was brought down by Mooketsi and the referee pointed to the spot. After gifting Rollers with a penalty, Mooketsi redeemed himself and denied Ngele from the spot. Moments from missing the penalty, Segolame Boy found Ngele lurking inside the box but Ngele failed to convert once more with his effort hitting the crossbar.
With only three minutes left to the halftime break, Ngele hit a long range shot outside the box but Mooketsi was there to deny him once more. Prisons seemed to be swimming in a pool of darkness with only Mooketsi being the busy man pulling save after save. In the second half, Prisons started showing signs of life and gradually got back in the game.
On the 55th minute, Rollers' striker, Morgan Gaseitsiwe hit a powerful shot from outside the box but Mooketsi stood tall once more and denied him. After countless attacks to find the second goal, the right wing back Lesole came to the rescue.
Lesole was rewarded for his hard work and put his name on the score sheet from close range. When everyone thought the game was done and dusted, Prisons pulled one back courtesy of Tshwanelo Mojanaga.
The latter scored from a rebound that came off the crossbar on the 83rd minute. The glimmer of hope for Prisons was shattered when substitute, Tlhalefo Molebatsi scored a tap-in goal to restore his side’s two goal lead once more. The revenge was achieved as the game ended 3-1 and Rollers proceeded to the quarterfinals.
Rollers head coach, Sergio Traguil was left thrilled with the win but bemoaned missed chances. “The boys really played wonderful and we won 3-1 but we were supposed to win 6,7 or 8 looking at the chances we had and our very wonderful performance,” coach Traguil said. Meanwhile Sepheko Motlhagotswe, head coach for Prisons, put the loss on the unavailability of his key players. “We tried to play very well but as I have said in the previous interviews, five of our starters and regulars are not here, so it was completely new team hence the results,” he said.
The teams: Township Rollers: Karamelo Kgosipula, Jackson Lesole, Simisani Mathumo, Thabo Babutsi, Onkarabile Ratanang, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Phenyo Serameng, Lebopo Moremi (Deon Tjizumaue), Segolame Boy, Mogakolodi Ngele (Tlhalefo Molebatsi), Terdius Uiseb (Morgan Gaseitsiwe). Prisons XI: Tshepo Mooketsi, Kutlo Mogope, Kutlwano Sentsho, Vincent Monamati, Kebatshabile Monthe, Watunwa Muniazo (Tumo Lebanna), Karabo Setoutwe, Taelo Nthomiwa, Tshwanelo Mojanaga, Katso Mogotsi, Tumelo Meshack (Weno Seone).
Township Rollers 3 (Ngele 5th, Lesole 75th,Molebatsi 87th) Prisons XI 1 (Mojanaga 83rd)