Rollers survive motlakase scare
Leornard Matota | Monday March 24, 2014 15:22
The homeside protested the penalty saying that Sekhana Koko of Rollers had committed a foul before he unleashed a volley that was handled by defender, Oteng Oganne inside the box. In the tense atmosphere, Murirwa stepped up to rifle home and sent Rollers’ fans into a frenzy deed in referees’ optional time.
Rollers showed more hunger in the game, but were let down by poor finishing with Kobamelo ‘Swere’ Kebaikanye as the main culprit. With the clock ticking and the match deadlocked 0-0, Rollers, were under immense pressure because they risked surrendering their log leadership to BDF XI. As desperation set in, defenders, Simisane Mathumo and Obonye Moswate opted to shoot from range in vain, while Kebaikanye hit the cross bar in the 70th minute from a free kick.
Bonuses that were promised to Motlakase players proved to be a great motivation as they frustrated Rollers in the entire game. Motlakase players were promised P7,000 bonus if they beat Rollers, while a draw would have earned them P3, 500. Midfielder, Ronald Kefilwe gave Rollers a torrid time when in possession as Motlakase defence lead by captain Toy Moroka bottled strikers Jerome Louis and Kenanao Kgetholetsile.
Rollers coach, Madinda Ndlovu, gave credit to his players for showing character and fighting until the last whistle. He said he expected the game to be hard because all teams are targeting them as log leaders.
“But this makes us even stronger and on the alert to remain focused. We struggled especially coming from a tough midweek game coupled with injuries and suspensions. But generally, you can’t have a good plan playing on this ground, not the best of football could be played here,” he said.
Motlakase coach, Pule Mogotsi could not hide his disappointment with the officiating. He accused the referee of inconsistency throughout the game. “When you are playing these types of games, the last thing you need is for the referee to spoil it for you. This was a closely contested game but all the fouls were going against us. That was not a penalty because my centre back was pulled down by Rollers forward and instead Rollers got a penalty,” he lamented. Mogotsi applauded his players for their fighting spirit and said they should now focus on finishing in the top eight.