Rollers are league champions � Madinda
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday May 9, 2016 15:03
Orapa coach, Madinda Ndlovu declared after the game Rollers were champions, despite Mochudi Centre Chiefs taking the trophy in Jwaneng on Saturday.
Rollers showed their intentions as early as the third minute as Joel Mogorosi’s shot went over the bar. Four minutes later Segolame Boy laid a through ball to Jerome Ramatlhakwana, who showed quick feet to beat two defenders but his final shot went wide of the post.
The visitors’ first chance came in the 14th minute as Lemogang Maswena unleashed a shot from the edge of the box, but did not trouble Kabelo Dambe.
A good move by Township Rollers found Boy in front of the box and the attacker beat the keeper to the left corner with a low drive to give Rollers the lead in the 39th minute. Popa took a one goal lead into the break.
Four minutes in to the second half Galabgwe Moyana put in a telling cross from the right to find Boy unmarked in the box, and the attacker tapped in to double Popa’s lead.
The visitors showed signs of resurgence as Patrick Lenyeletse hit the upright while Thabang Sesinyi’s long-range effort was well saved by Dambe in the 60th and 64th minutes respectively.
In the 70th minute, Sesinyi curled a free-kick to the top corner but Dambe produced a superb save to deny the visitors.
Boy missed a hat trick chance as his rush and bluff shot went wide in the 84th minute.
wAs the referee blew the final whistle Rollers’ coach Mark Harrison celebrated wildly with the supporters sitting at the ‘Panda’ stand. “It was not for us, Rollers are the champions.
They have won the league that I was fighting for.
We had to do no one a favour. We conceded to mistakes which we were punished by Boy but that’s the nature of the game,” said Ndlovu. His opposite number Rollers’ coach, Mark Harrison applauded his team’s professionalism throughout the season. “We are outright champions.
I told the boys that we had to end the season professionally.
These guys (supporters) spend their money throughout the season to watch us so we had to give it to them,” he said.
Rollers: Kabelo Dambe, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Mogogi Gabonamong, Simisani Mathumo, Kaone van der Westhuizen, Lawrence Majawa, Maano Ditshupo, Segolame Boy, Joel Mogorosi, Galabgwe Moyana (Kobamelo Kebaikanye), Jerome Ramatlhakwana (Terence Mandaza)
Orapa: Mosimanegape Robert, Kealeboga Molebatsi, Thabang Mosige (Kabo Mungabe), Olekantse Mambo, Lesenya Ramoraka, Mgcini Sibanda, Patrick Motsepe, Baboloki Makhura, Patrick Lenyeletse, Onkabetse Makgantai (Thabang Sesinyi), Lemogang Maswena (Tumelo Madzebedi)
Caution: Sibanda
Rollers 2 (Boy 39th, 49th)
Orapa 0