Top Clash Ends Deadlocked
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday December 7, 2015 10:39
The game started at a snail’s pace due to high temperatures, but both teams still managed to challenge each other. Popa forced three corners in the opening five minutes. The Ostriches looked to the referee for a penalty on the seventh minute after a Patrick Motsepe free kick was scrambled inside the Popa box, but the referee waved fair play.
From the 10th minute, a number of balls were played into the Ostriches box as the visitors tried to unlock the home side but the resolute Orapa United defence was equal to the task. From the 21st minute, Motsepe took control of the game and set Orapa up to a good spell of touches much to the delight of their 12th man.
On the 27th minute, Motsepe fouled Jerome Ramatlhwakwana in front of the 18 yard box. Edwin Moalosi took a wonderful curler from the resulting free kick, but Mosimanegape Robert pulled a spectacular save, and parried the ball away for a corner. Ramatlhakwana then sent Kobamelo Kebaikanye through, and crossed the ball into the penalty area. However, Maano Ditshupo blasted over a glorious chance.
Orapa responded with Ronald Chikomo at the other end, but they could not utilise the chance and Rollers conceded a corner in the process. Motsepe came close for the Ostriches on the 38th, but headed Patrick Lenyeletse’s pin point cross over the bar.
Five minutes from the half time break, Carl Finigan got booked while warming up while the Rollers mentor Mark Harrison was sent out to the stands. The game was more physical and lacked spark in the opening 20 minutes of the half. Both teams played compact football with five men in defence and lacked in attack. Mgcini Sibanda produced a first fine second half shot in the 80th minute when he connected with a volley from Mandlenkosi Sukunyetsa’s header but his shot went agonisingly wide.
Sekhana Koko created a chance with a sublime turn in the 16 yard area, but Orapa United defence quickly cleared. A minute later, Maano Ditshupo headed into the box and Koko connected well with a volley but his shot hit the woodwork. Towards the closing minutes, the visitors kept the home side on the back foot but the game ended in a stalemate. The Ostriches coach, Madinda Ndlovu said it was a fair result after a very tactical game. “I think the two teams planned well for this game, they came and applied their tactics well hence the result. These are two giants and it shows they are not at the top by mistake. I think it is a fair result for both teams,” Ndlovu said.
His counterpart, Harrison also said a draw was a welcome result. “Look, if you could have asked me before the game I would have said a draw will be good for us. We knew if we could hold them for 50 to 60 minutes we will finish strong and we did just that.
Tactically we were spot on. We knew their play and we knew they are a physical side and we stood them. Our preparations were spot on and the guys played well. They are a difficult side to beat at home and we will take a draw,” Harrison said.
The line-ups:
Orapa United: Mosimanegape Robert, Kealeboga Molebatsi, Lesenya Ramoraka, Olekantse Mambo, Thabang Mosige, Patrick Motsepe, Mgcini Sibanda, Lemogang Maswena (Thabang Sesinyi 61st), Patrick Lenyeletse (Lovemore Morirwa 82nd), Mandlenkosi Sibanda, Ronald Chikomo
Township Rollers: Kabelo Dambe, Tshepho Motlhabankwe, Mogogi Gabonamong, Simisani Mathumo, Kaone Vanderwesthuizen, Lawrence Majawa, Maano Ditshupo, Obonye Moswate, Kobamelo Kebaikanye (Sekhana Koko 63rd), Edwin Moalosi (Joel Mogorosi 63rd), Jerome Ramatlhakwana (Jerome Louis 82nd)
Referee: Keabetswe Dintwa
Assistant Referees: Oamogetse Godisamang, Meshack Medupi
Cautions: Carl Finnigan
Orapa United 0
Rollers 0