Soldiers Halt Rollers March
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday December 14, 2015 10:19
Both ends started cautiously, knocking the ball around with short passes in attempt to find openings.
The first chance came in the 11th minute when Simisane Mathumo headed home a free kick from Tshepo Motlhabankwe, but was ruled offside.
Two minutes later, BDF XI conceded a free kick on the far right. Motlhabankwe delivered a long cross which eluded everyone except Kaone Van Der Westhuizen who tapped in to give Rollers the lead.
In the 36th minute, keeper Ontiretse Gabotlhobogwe produced a superb save to deal with Motsholetsi Sikele’s free kick.
The teams went for recess with Rollers’ lead intact. BDF XI came back from the break transformed. In 60th minute, Patrick Kaunda intercepted a back pass to Kabelo Dambe who was way out of position.
The striker did not react quickly enough though and Dambe recovered. Phenyo Mongala picked out Ofentse Mmipi with a low cross and the midfielder released a thunderbolt, leaving Dambe motionless as the army side drew level in the 60th minute.
BDF XI missed two chances with Kabelo Seakanyeng hitting the upright in the 71st minute and Mongala’s powerful header from Othusitse Mpharitlhe hitting the cross bar.
In the dying minutes, Carl Finnigan broke through the defence but skied his effort when he was left with only the keeper to beat.
In post match interview, BDF XI coach, Beston Chambesi said he was satisfied with a point although he rued missed chances. “We played well; we lost one to Rollers in the first round. I’m happy to get a point from a team which is really playing well at the moment. I am just disappointed with our finishing,” he said. Rollers assistant coach, Mogomotsi Mpote also felt his side missed gilt-edged opportunities. “We played well although we failed to convert our chances, at times we have to adjust to the situation.
Looking at today’s game, our players were in a hurry, we could have done better,” Mpote said.
BDF XI: Ontiretse Gabotlhobogwe, Koziba Tlhabano, Othusitse Mpharitlhe, Keleagetse Mogomotsi, Bitwell Phiri, Bonolo Phuduhudu, Phenyo Mongala, Ofentse Mmipi, Patrick Kaunda, Abi Ramodianeagile (Kobe), Kabelo Seakanyeng
Rollers: Kabelo Dambe, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Simisane Mathumo, Mogogi Gabonamong, Kaone Van Der Westhuizen, Lawrence Majawa, Maano Ditshupo, Motsholetsi Sikele (Sekhana Koko), Carl Finnigan, Joel Mogorosi (Edwin Moalosi), Jerome Ramatlhakwana (Gofaone Tiro)
Cautions: Motlhabankwe, Seakanyeng
BDF XI 1 (Mmipi 62nd)
Rollers 1 (Van Der Westhuizen 13th)