Rollers are champions!

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday April 30, 2010 00:00

 

Terrence Mandaza who has been in imperious form the whole season, grabbed two goals in the first half to take his tally to 31 and hand the title to Rollers. The striker could have set his side on the way to the title in the first minute when he clinically finished an Edwin Moalosi cross but he was ruled offside.

But there was no denying the Zimbabwean in the 25th minute when he thundered in a volley after a lofted pass from Moalosi. Mandaza then put the result beyond a battling Notwane when he scored from the spot after he was brought down. He succeeded on the second attempt after Botlhe Moralo saved his initial effort.

Notwane, as they have done all season against big guns, refused to lie down and dominated the entire second half. But poor finishing coupled with some brave goalkeeping from Kabelo Dambe kept Toronto at bay.

As the fulltime approached, the cool breeze brought the scent of the title and the P1 million prize money.

The noise at the University of Botswana Stadium rose and the Rollers' players responded by showboating, aware that their first league title in five years is in the bag.

Rahman Gumbo, who sprinted half the length of the pitch to hug his goalkeeper, Dambe at fulltime, was naturally elated at his fourth league title in his coaching career.

He has achieved a rare feat of winning league titles in three different countries. Defender, Itai Gwandu bagged his second league medal in a row after his first win with Gaborone United (GU) last season.

Gumbo said there will be little time to celebrate as the club shifts focus to the Coca-Cola Cup final against Mochudi Centre Chiefs on May 15.

'We don't have time to celebrate as we still have the Coca-Cola Cup to focus on. It has been a good season. We deserved the victory as the management and everyone has remained focused. Determination, hard work and discipline saw us through,' Gumbo said.

He said it is everyone's wish at Rollers to see the club participate in the CAF Champions League next season.

He said he is still to sit down with the management to discuss his future at the club though his contract expires at the end of the season. His focus has been on winning the league title and talks about his future will come later.

Rollers become the second club to win P1 million after GU. With last night's win, they amassed an unassailable 68 points, as nearest rivals Uniao Flamengo Santos can only finish on 66 if they win their remaining games. Rollers will be presented with the trophy and their medals in Molepolole on Sunday before their game against TAFIC.