Rollers Defend Women�s League Title
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday May 23, 2016 15:29
Rollers had finished the season league leading by two points, but having gained six soft points after two of their opponents did not turn up for league games. They had to face second-placed Double Action to decide the champions.
The game started at a high pace with both teams looking for an early goal. Action broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Thuso Leseane showed great vision and found Bonang Otlhagile with a through ball.
The attacker beat Nancy Baeletsi for pace and slotted past the advancing keeper. Six minutes later, Otlhagile who proved to be a menace to Popa defence, this time became the provider as she laid a low cross into the box only to find Thuto Ramafifi unmarked and she doubled the lead.
Rollers replied in the 24th minute after Veronica Mogomotsi headed in her own net from Kesegofetse Mochawe corner kick.
With the post-moterm of an own goal still going on, Rollers nearly equalised but keeper Peggy Segokgo easily dealt with a long range shot from Lebogang Setereke. Ramafifi missed a glorious chance to extend Action’s lead after she failed to control Otlhagile’s cross in the 42nd minute.
The second half started with both teams playing cautiously, trying to keep possession.
Setereke and Leseane were doing the job in the middle of the park for their teams. In the 66th minute, Masego Montsho’s clearance found Bame Ngenda. The attacker out ran her markers and hit the roof of the net to level matters.
With Action players starting to show signs of fatigue, Rollers started to control the match and with only two minutes to time, Mochawe got at the end of a corner kick, after a scramble in the box and slotted home the winner.
Action coach, Agreement Podi said silly mistakes cost them the game. “It was a good game; it was just that we shot ourselves in the foot with those mistakes.
On a normal day, we could have done better,” he said. Rollers coach, Gaolethoo Nkutlwisang applauded her team’s determination on the day. “The players showed great determination. We managed to come from two goals down; that shows how badly we wanted this,” she said.
Rollers: Sedilame Bosija, Tlamelo Motlhale, Nancy Baeletsi, Masego Montsho, Refilwe Pilane, Lebogang Setereke, Tlamelo Rametlae (Gosego Lekoko), Kesegofetse Mochawe, Bame Ngenda, Masego Koboto (Boitshoko Moalosi), Refilwe Tholakele
Double Action: Peggy Segokgo, Veronica Mogomotsi, Patricia Motigwa, Kgomotso Molefe, Dikatlholo Modise, Thuso Leseane, Ridonah Sefiwa, Kesego Matlhatsa, Bonang Otlhagile, Thuto Ramafifi (Neo Masimola), Boitumelo Gammu