Police Shoot Down Rollers

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Monday February 23, 2009 00:00

 

With log leaders Gaborone United (GU) on a rest this weekend, Rollers needed a 5-0 win to get to the top of the standings but this never happened as Police XI showed more hunger.

After Police XI lost 5-1 the previous weekend, many Rollers' supporters came to the Friday game confident that their side would destroy the Jungle Kings and move to the top of the log for the first time this season. When the match started, Mapalastina wasted no timein going for Police XI jugular. When everyone was thinking that Rollers were in control of the situation, the unexpected happened. Defender Timothy Phiri made a stupid error in the danger area and Police XI captain Richard Mwanza capitalised to easily beat young goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe in the 10th minute. The goal silenced Rollers' supporters. They feared for the worst when the Jungle Kings put Rollers on the back pedal.

With striker Mohammed Chawila missing from the starting line-up, the combination of Terrence Mandaza and Edwin Moalosi looked out of sorts. Most of the time, the two strikers played far apart from each other. This was not helped by uncompromising defending by Tebogo Tshuma and Canny Gaontebale of Police XI. In the middle of the pack, Police XI youngster Tebogo Sebina had a storming game and his high work-rate made his opponents look ordinary. Rollers' debutant Lawrence Majawa from Malawi failed to impress though he made a few telling passes.

In the 22nd minute, Rollers got the all important equaliser when captain Joel Mogorosi fired home from close range, giving Police XI goalkeeper, Jackson Legodi no chance.

Credit has to go to Mogorosi for beating two opponents on the right before sending the ball into the roof of the net. The goal seemed to bring some spark to Mapalastina as they continued to launch numerous attacks but the Jungle Kings stood firm. Police XI restored their lead in the 33rd minute when Mwanza tapped home from close range after a goalkeeping error from Dambe. The Under-20 goalkeeper failed to deal with a low cross from the left from Dennis Kaelo thus allowing Mwanza to easily score. Though he fumbled in some situations, Dambe showed that with time, he can be a better goalkeeper.

At 2-1, Police XI seemed to have taken control of the game and gave Rollers little room to manouvre. In the opening 35 minutes, the Jungle Kings attacked mostly on the left where Rollers were found wanting without a natural right-footed defender. Utility midfielder Amos 'Shoes' Godirwang was surprisingly played at right-back ahead of Mogomotsi Kerebotswe. He tried his best but he could not cope with the pace of Kaelo and Betsho Pius who exchanged positions time and again whenever Police XI were on the attack. In the 36th minute, Moalosi missed a golden opportunity when he shot tamely at goalkeeper Legodi after finding his way past a rigid Police XI defence.

Eight minutes later, Police XI nearly increased the score but Kaelo and Pius arrived late in the box after a brilliant cross from Mwanza. A minute later, Pius missed by a whisker after capitalising on a defensive error by Monageng Thaele.

After the break, Police XI continued where they left as they piled pressure on their opponents. But it was Police XI goalkeeper Legodi who was forced to quickly come off his line to deny Mogorosi in the 51st minute.

Three minutes later, Rollers' bench and supporters could not believe their eyes when Moalosi's header went wide. Despite the introduction of Thapelo 'Pepe' Balepi early in the second half, Rollers could not find a way past Police XI defence. In the 90th minute, Rollers had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Tebogo Ramocha.

After the game, Rollers' assistant coach Thabo Motang said that Police XI were more hungry than them and capitalised on the chances they created in the opening half. Once again, Motang was frustrated by the chances that went to waste. Police XI assistant coach, Summer Ncube said though the game was tough, his charges played according to instructions. Having lost by a wider margin in the previous game, Ncube said they told the players to put the loss behind them and concentrate on doing well against Rollers.