Rollers women�s team emulates counterparts
Kabelo Boranabi | Thursday February 18, 2016 15:25
Rollers beat FC Legends and Big Sisters by an identical score line of 12-0 after a slow start to the season, which included a shock defeat to Makufa. They recaptured their form after winning10 of their 11 first round games. Rollers have accumulated 30 points, two ahead of second-placed Double Action. Popa have scored a record breaking 43 goals while conceding only two.
Coach Gaolethoo ‘Ronaldo’ Nkutlwisang, who led Rollers to the league title unbeaten last season, chose to be modest about the competition her team faces.
“It is not like the league is of lower standards. We are just better than other teams. When you look at the team, we have players with international experience,” she said.
Rollers reinforced their frontline with former Meat Girls markswomen Refilwe Tholakele and Kesegofetse ‘Odinga’ Mochawe during the January transfer window.
“This season we were looking to improve our scoring rate hence why we beefed up our squad with such players with scoring capabilities. It is not like we are trying to cripple our opponents by acquiring their best players. We want to match ourselves with our male counterparts, if they can get the players so can we,” Nkutlwisang said.
The former Double Action attacker, however, said she would not pick her team based on the reputation of the players, but on efforts made at training. “As long as a player shows determination and commitment, I will pick them. I won’t hesitate to pick a youngster over a big name because we are also trying to develop their talents,” she said.
As the second round of the league starts on Saturday, Rollers would want to avoid a potential banana skin when they face last weeked’s opponents, Big Sisters at the Mmamasire grounds.
Big Sisters, who sit on eighth position, would aim to improve their status. Double Action are eager to bounce back to winning ways after dropping points in their last game, as they welcome Prisons at the Bosele grounds.
Meat Girls battle it out with UB Kicks at the UB Hawks grounds, while Gaborone United would look to complete a double over relegation-threatened South East Girls United at the Water Utilities grounds.
Kanye Swallows visit bottom-placed Untouchables at Masa grounds while FC Legends and Makufa play at the Mogoditshane grounds. All games start at 4pm.