Orapa One Foot Into The Final
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday January 30, 2017 18:00
Rollers started the game calmer, pressing high forward and winning two corners in the opening six minutes while it took United five minutes to arrive at the other end. In their second visit into the Popa box, after another five-minute interval the Ostriches burst the dam.
From the left flank, Lesenya Ramoraka powered past the napping Tshepo Motlhabankwe into the box and laid a delicate cross and Omaatla Kebatho pounced to put the ball far into the bottom right corner.
Two minutes later, Popa replied with only but a scare. Lemponye Tshireletso posted a corner kick into the packed box and it ricocheted off the defenders and went inches out.
Popa built slowly from the defence but were often thwarted in the last quarter by the United’s tried and tested defensive quartet of Olekantse Mambo, Thabang Mosige, Lesenya Ramoraka and Kealeboga Molebatsi. New acquisition Nelson Moreetsi fitted like a glove in hand just in front of the back four and coach Madinda Ndlovu was impressed with his new players. “Very disciplined,” he said. “He (Moreetsi) sat well in his position and closed very well in front of the box; the (new) boys played well. Gift (Moyo) is very prolific and I am confident with time he is going to get us many goals.”
While United’s defensive tactics were on point closing the Rollers 4-3-3 formation with a disciplined 4-1-4-1 formation, they also looked sharp in the counter attacks the entire match. As in the first half, it took the two sides close to 10 minutes after resumption to throw another jab.
From a long defensive clearance in the 56th minute, Kebatho cushioned a header into Lemogang Maswena’s path. The speedy winger took on Simisani Mathumo with blistering pace and the Rollers defender lazily pulled him down inches from the box.
From the resulting dead ball, Molebatsi’s telling cross was met by a Tendai Nyumasi leap in the 16 yard who redirected with a header into the net to stretch the lead. The second goal took the stuffing out of Rollers’ passing fluidity and took a knock and they resorted to a more direct approach.
It almost paid 10 minutes later when Mambo cleared a Tshireletso attempt with a diving header when the goalkeeper was beaten. Maano Ditshupo forced a spectacular fingertip save from Kaelo Joseph in the 82nd minute. Rollers’ night was summed up by Motlhabankwe’s last minute fine curler that bounced off the upright.
Rollers coach, Teenage Mpote said their game plan failed as they allowed United to dictate terms. “We lost a simple game. The players changed our game plan and we played their game. We can’t beat them at their game but I can’t complain much. It’s a game of mistakes; we will go back and correct them.”
Ndlovu gave credit to his players. “They wanted it more. They said themselves that they can’t lose again and that was our driving factor today.”
Orapa United: Kaelo Joseph, Kealeboga Molebatsi, Thabang Mosige, Lesenya Ramoraka,
Olekantse Mambo, Omaatla Kebatho (Zebron Njobvu), Nelson Moreetsi (Obonye Moswate), Tendai Nyumasi, Gift Moyo (Patrick Lenyeletse), Lemogang Maswena, Ronald Chikomo
Rollers: Mwampule Masule, Mogogi Gabonamong, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Simisani Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Lawrence Majawa, Maano Ditshupo, Segolame Boy (Kekaetswe Moloi), Edwin Moalosi (Joel Mogorosi), Lemponye Tshireletso, Terrence Mandaza (Pape Abdoulaye Ndaw)
Cautions Moreetsi, Moloi, Mathumo
Orapa (1) 2 (Kebatho 10th,
Nyumasi 57th)
Rollers 0