Rollers Hunt Down Troubled Lions
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday January 16, 2017 15:42
Lions’ ownership battles have seen the team losing key players with more expected to leave the Gaborone West-based club. On the pitch, Rollers enjoyed a lion’s share of the ball but neither team made clear goal scoring chances in the first 10 minutes.
However against the run of play, Patrick Kaunda broke with pace, saw his initial shot parried back into play with the ball falling on his path. The striker struck with the second bite of the cherry to give Lions the lead in the 11th minute. Five minutes, later Maano Ditshupo tucked in from close range after the keeper spilled Segolame Boy’s shot, to level matters. In the 20th minute, Rollers nearly took the lead but Edwin Moalosi’s free kick hit the cross bar. Popa eventually surged ahead after 27 minutes following a scramble in the box. The ball fell onto Moalosi’s path, who laid a pass to Terrence Mandaza and the striker finished at the far post for his eighth goal of the campaign. Rollers led 2-1 at interval.
After recess, the game slowed with both teams squandering goal scoring chances. Mosha Gaolaolwe headed wide from a corner kick in the 50th minute while on the other end, Kaunda, who was causing all sort of troubles for the Rollers defence, could not find the back of the net after several attempts.
With only five minutes left until regulation time, substitute Ntesang Simanyana laid the ball to Lemponye Tshireletso who beat an advancing Moatlhodi Ndana to extend the defending champions’ lead. In the 89th minute substitute Gofaone Tiro, centred the ball, Simanyana flicked to Mandaza whose fine shot was saved by Ndana.
“Well done to the boys; it is the first game after the break so the fitness levels are low. Winning this game is pleasing. Mental, technical awareness and team work played as a huge role in our win today,” Rollers’ interim coach Mogomotsi “Teenage” Mpote said after the game. His counter part Lions’ Paradzayi Madivenga said his team played well despite having a difficult time off the field. “I have lost a couple of players and we are rebuilding. This was a totally new front line-up. We are trying new combinations,” he said.
The teams:
Lions: Moatlhodi Ndana, Thabo Mhlanga, Mosimanegape Ntwaestile, Tumisang Sekanonyane, Sekgabo Molebatsi, Ocean Mpofu, Boikobo Diepo (Kabo Rasuping), Kabelano Mooketsane, Unobatsha Mbaiwa, Topo Piet (Stephen Sibanda), Patrick Kaunda
Rollers: Mwampule Masule, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Mogogi Gabonamong, Simisane Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Lawrence Majawa, Maano Ditshupo, Segolame Boy (Joel Mogorosi), Edwin Moalosi (Ntesang Simanyana), Lemponye Tshireletso (Gofaone Tiro), Terrence Mandaza Cautions: Sekanonyane, Motlhabankwe
Lions 1 (Kaunda 11th)
Rollers 3 (Ditshupo 16th, Mandaza 27th, Tshireletso 85th)