Rollers Outsmart Cops In Thriller
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday November 2, 2015 13:00
The Jungle Kings raced to an early lead, grabbing two goals inside the first 25 minutes. Tapiwa Gadibolae, on loan from Rollers, capitalised on a defensive mistake to punish his parent club. Betsho Pius beat Kabelo Dambe with a screamer from the edge of the box to double the visitors’ lead in the 25th minute. Rollers responded with unrelenting pressure and their efforts were rewarded when Maano Ditshupo halved the deficit with a header in the 44th minute. Rollers introduced Jerome Ramatlhakwana and Sekhana Koko for Carl Finnigan and Otlantshekela Mooketsi at the start of the first half. In the 56th minute, Ditshupo got his brace when he slotted a Joel Mogorosi pass at the far post. Segolame Boy teed up Ramatlhakwana with a low cross, then the striker tapped in to give Rollers the lead in the 71st minute.
Six minutes later, the hosts increased their lead through Mogorosi’s header. The attacker rose the highest to power in Koko’s cross. Substitute Motsholetsi Sikele broke through the Police XI defence and came face-to-face with the goalkeeper, but was denied by the upright in the last minute of the game.
Rollers’ coach. Mark Harrison was disappointed that they conceded two goals but happy with the overall performance.
“They came and popped the jumbo jet in the first half, and that’s what we have to be prepared for. We have to be good enough to open teams up,” he said. Police XI coach, Maxwell Moyo felt the game was won from the bench.
“They brought in quality players while we brought in average players. We got punished because we made silly mistakes; we have another 90 minutes (and) will see what to do,” he said.
Rollers: Kabelo Dambe, Simisane Mathumo, Mogogi Gabonamong, Otlantshekela Mooketsi (Sekhana Koko), Lawrence Majawa, Maano Ditshupo, Segolame Boy, Joel Mogorosi (Motsholetsi Sikele), Galabywe Moyana, Carl Finnigan (Jerome Ramatlhakwana)
Police XI: Bokamoso Moeba, Katlego Masole, Dikgakgamatso Kesolofetse, Poloko Khole, Otlaadisa Manyika, Letlhogonolo Senwelo, Joseph Joseph (Ishmael Amponsah), Tapiwa Gadibolae (Ogomoditse Sitang), Phenyo Molefe (Kagiso Dithebe), Kawashu Makai, Betsho Pius.
Rollers 4 (Ditshupo 44th, 56th, Ramatlhakwana 71st, Mogorosi 77th)
Police 2 (21st, Pius 25th)