Rollers Claim City's Bragging Rights
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday November 5, 2018 14:59
The win, extended Rollers’ unbeaten streak in the Gaborone Derby to five games whilst leaving them at the summit of the log with 29 points.
Popa were the first to have a try at goal as early as the second minute, when Mothusi Cooper delivered a good corner kick and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe went for an overhead kick but his effort went wide.
The Blues broke the deadlock on the 19th minute as Boy capped his solo drive with beautifully placed shot from outside the box to add his fifth goal in the Gaborone Derby.
On the half hour mark, Lemponye Tshireletso flicked on for Tumisang Orebonye. He went for a first time striker but keeper saved. Three minutes later, a good counter attack orchestrated by Boy and Tshireletso saw the latter missing the target as he shot over the bar as Rollers kept GU on the back foot. Popa took a slim 1-0 lead into the break.
In the early stages of the second half, GU showed signs of an awakening giant but lost the battle in the middle of the park.
On the hour mark, Orebonye from a corner kick tried a volley, but his shot went wide. Four minutes later on the other end, Jackson Lesole brought down Obonwe Maome in the box but referee waved the Reds’ penalty appeal. On the 68th minute, Popa had another go at goal, but Cooper’s low drive missed the goal just by a whisker. On the 74th minute, substitute Joel Mogorosi tried an outside foot shot but his effort agonisingly missed the mouth of the goal.
With three minutes to time, substitute Karabo Setoutwe gave Popa a scare as he failed to connect well with Mandla Mgadla’s cross.
“This was a typical Township Rollers. They played possession football. They played like true champions but this is not a game I wanted to lose.
They dominated the midfield and got the goal at the right time, but we came to them in the second half but well done to them and well done to my boys,” GU coach, Philemon Makhwengwe said after the game. His counterpart Leutlwetse Tshireletso was impressed with the win, but he lamented the team’s finishing in the second half.
The Teams:
GU: Goitseone Phoko, Tshepo Maikano (Jackie Mothathego), Gaopatwe Seosenyeng, Godwin Bonsu, Gosegonna Molapisi, Ogomoditse Bauleni, Alford Velaphi (Alphonse Modisaotsile), Mgadla, Maome, Bophelo Oaitse, Patrick Kabamba (Setoutwe)
Rollers: Wagarre Dikago, Lesole, Simisane Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Ditlhokwe, Maano Ditshupo, Cooper, Boy, Motsholetsi Sikele (Mogorosi), Tshireletso (Benjamin Sarkoh), Orebonye (Ivan Ntenge)
GU 0
Rollers 1 (Boy 19th)