Ostriches Tear Rollers Apart
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday June 17, 2019 14:20
Club coach Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote said it was only the beginning of their mission to halt the Rollers dominance in the local football. He noted his charges were tactically spot on and they deserved to win the P700, 000 Cup.
“We couldn’t have done it any better. The boys actually surprised me. They did twice what we planned and they deserve it. We are stopping the Rollers dominance in the local football,” he said.
The encounter took off at a snail’s pace. Ostriches showed their hand in the opening minutes and won a series of free-kicks but they scuppered them.
They forced Popa that started heavily on the backfoot.
Their persistent knocks at Keagile Kgosipula’s goals were rewarded 13 minutes after kick-off.
Following a neat move that started at the back, Tendai Nyumasi found Lemogang Maswena on the right wing. Maswena delivered a sweeping ball across the goalmouth and Mbatshi Elias pounced from a blind sight to pluck home.
A minute later, Kgosipula was compromised when his defenders allowed a lethal Omaatla Kebatho room for a shot and the striker did not hesitate. He forced Kgosipula to parry his goal bound effort for a corner.
Popa’s first effort at goal came 20 minutes into the game with Tumisang Orebonye’s effort that only sailed over the bar.
Ostriches responded with another great move masterminded by Nyumasi. He cheekily lobbed the ball for Kebatho in the 16th yard box. The striker sent the Orange nation into jubilations with a cool header.
After the second goal, the Ostriches closed shop. They sat, closed the pockets and dictated the tempo of the game. Popa tried, but their messy game was characterised by many an error.
United took the healthy lead to the dugout. It could have been even worse two minutes after the break.
The blue giants conceded a penalty when Ofentse Nato fouled Gofaone Mabaya in the box. However, Kebatho’s effort from the resulting spot kick was saved by the acrobatic Kgosipula.
Despite that, Popa finally found their rhythm. They fashioned a number of attacks and won free-kicks. Galabgwe Moyana posted the free-kicks into dangerous areas in the box but his attackers lacked sting.
They could have pulled one back in the 54th minute when Moyana picked Orebonye with a cross in the 16 yards. The striker did everything right but his attempt ricocheted on the crossbar and went back into play.
When the shadows fell, Rollers grew a bit desperate and the Ostriches took advantage.
On the 64th minute Kebatho set Mabaya in the box. He rolled into Nyumasi’s path and the midfielder clinically plucked into the top right corner to take the game far away from Rollers.
After the third goal, the Ostriches cleared everything that came their way and wind the clock to glory in their maiden FA Cup.
Rollers coach Rudolpho Zapata blamed fatigue. “We lost it in the first 25 minutes. Our tactics were wrong but the boys are also fatigued. They played so many games. It is clear they need rest,” the Argentine said.
Line Ups
Orapa: Lesenya Malapela, Mpho Kgaswane, Tapiwa Nyamandjiva, Mooketsi Hlabano, Mothusi Johnson, Kelapile Ndlovu, Nyumasi, Mabaya, Elias, Maswena, Kebatho
Rollers: Kgosipula, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Motsholetsi Sikele, Nato, Thatayaone Dithokwe, Maano Ditshupo, Orebonye, Mothusi Cooper, Segolame Boy, Moyana, Joel Mogorosi
Orapa 3 (Elias 13th, Kebatho 23rd, Nyumasi 64th)
Rollers 0