Rollers profit from Orapa slip

Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Tuesday February 9, 2016 11:47

Jerome Ramatlhakwane and Thopho Motheng in action during the beMobile Premier League game between Township Rollers and Sankoyo BushBucks in Francistown PIC: KEOAGILE BONANG

Orapa United, who last week sat on position two on the log only due to an inferior goal difference, now trail the leaders by two points. This follows their 0-0 draw against Jwaneng Galaxy at Itekeng Stadium on Saturday. Both Orapa United and Galaxy went into Saturday game with two good records. Galaxy were yet to concede a goal this year while Orapa are unbeaten at home. They both successfully defended their records. The last time Galaxy conceded a goal was on December 4 last year when they lost 2-1 to Mochudi Centre Chiefs. Since then, they have gone six games without conceding a goal. Orapa United on the other hand are yet to lose a match this season at home despite dropping two points. Their next game is a tricky encounter against Miscellaneous who have done relatively well this season. Log leaders, Rollers have a date with Gilport Lions.

Defending champions, Chiefs are finding their feet and have closed the gap between them and Orapa United to three points after their 2-0 win over Gaborone United (GU). The usual suspect, Lemponye Tshireletso, is once again showing up at a crucial time of the season. Tshireletso almost single-handedly drove Chiefs towards the league championship with some brilliant performances in the second round of the league last season. He scored crucial goals consistently and not only helped his side win the league, but also finished as the league’s top goal scorer.

This season, he once again started on a low note but has since regained his form. He scored an equaliser against Gilport three weeks ago before he grabbed a brace in the 6-1 routing of FC Satmos. He went on to score his side’s second goal in the victory against GU on Friday. He is now the leading goalscorer with 12 goals together with Moatlhodi Ralesotla (GU) and Thabang Sesinyi of Orapa United. Chiefs next assignement is against high riding Extension Gunners, a team that has found its footing lately. Gunners sailed past Miscellaneous to move into position nine on the log.

Meanwhile, the going keeps getting tough for both Motlakase Power Dynamos and FC Satmos at the bottom of the log. Motlakase suffered a 7-1 defeat at the hands of BDF XI while FC Satmos fell 2-1 to Police XI. Satmos have only collected six points so far.

Meanwhile GU striker, Benson Shilongo has been named the bePlayer of the month for January, becoming the second GU player to win the award.

The first player was new signing, Kabelo Seakanyeng ,who won the award in December.