Chiefs torch fierce title fight

Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday February 3, 2015 18:00

While Rollers’ coach, Madinda Ndlovu was in class, completing his CAF A licence in Zimbabwe, Chiefs were cutting open Rollers with a 1-0 pasting at the National Stadium on Saturday.

When the Zimbabwean returns, he has some repair works to do after his side succumbed to a second defeat in three games.

The other defeat, against Police XI, was registered when Ndlovu was on the bench.

The Rollers’ slump has embolden Chiefs who have not hesitated to climb to joint top with 40 points, only behind their bitter rivals due to an inferior goal difference.

On Saturday, Rollers opened the first quarter in rapid fashion, threatening to overrun their jittery opponents before a bellowing National Stadium crowd.

However, after failing to take advantage of the ponderous combination of Keabetswe Jenamiso and butter fingers, Mompoloki Wrist Sephekolo, Rollers paid for profligacy.

Chiefs took over after a poor opening 20 minutes and began asking their sworn enemies some questions.  In the 36th minute, Rollers failed to respond to one crucial inquiry.

The asker was none other than Onalethata ‘OT’ Tshekiso, a constant thorn who stole the ball down the right before slicing it on to the path of approaching captain, Pontsho Moloi.

Moloi quickly rolled the ball back to a menacing Lemponye Tshireletso. The former BDF XI winger unhesitatingly flew into the ball to smash a stunning volley past a bemused Mwampule Masule in goals for Rollers.

Chiefs then began tightening the screws after the goal, cruelly reminding Rollers of the huge technical gap Ndlovu left on the bench.

Tshekiso also sent a reminder of what his former employers were missing with persistent raw power play, which troubled Simisani Mathumo.

Tshireletso constantly slipped away from his markers, and he could have stridden to a hat trick.

The Rollers right flank leaked like sieve and Tshireletso constantly travelled unperturbed along on the avenue towards Masule’s goal.

Captain, Sekhana Koko proved a weak link, wasting several gilt-edged opportunities for Rollers. It aided Chiefs as they counter attacked from his flank.

It came as no surprise when the Rollers bench moved veteran defender, Tshepo Motlhabankwe to the right.

Motlhabankwe showed he has lost none of his fire with some strong runs in the opening 20 minutes, before he and the rest of the Rollers team went into a lull.

Chiefs appeared comfortable throughout the match with their only blemish being the near disastrous concoction, which Jenamiso and Sephekolo constantly brewed the whole afternoon.

Jenamiso was not assured while Sephekolo’s glove appeared literally oiled and his punches were far from convincing.

While the two teams are now tied at the top, Premier League lights dimmed further for Letlapeng who were mauled 4-0 by another relegation threatened side, Satmos in Selebi-Phikwe.

Nico United, in 15th place, could only manage a 2-2 draw against BR Highlanders, while elsewhere, Sankoyo Bush Bucks continued to impress sending back Gaborone United (GU) with a 2-0 loss.