Olerile delighted to be back playing again
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday February 7, 2017 15:06
Olerile made a return to Popa last week after two and half seasons with city rivals GU.
Rollers’ coach, Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote threw the full back into the starting line up in place of Simisane Mathumo who was serving a suspension.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport, after his team’s 2-0 win in the ‘Battle of Gaborone’, Olerile could not hide his joy.
“I’m very happy to have played my first game after such a long time. It is more pleasing that we got the three points from the game.” Olerile lasted the full 90 minutes but received a ruthless welcome from his former teammates.
The soft spoken full back nearly found the target but his shot aimed at the near post went wide while his 67th minute long range was well collected by Goitseone Phoko. “I would not have (celebrated). I respect my former team,” he responded when asked if he would have celebrated had he scored.
The former Zebras player fell down in the pecking order at GU and was reduced to just a squad role, as coach Rodolfo Zapata preferred Gosegonna Molapisi and Karabo Phiri ahead of him.
However, the player said injuries caused his absence from the first team. “I had the best two and half seasons at GU. I played regularly. I endured a horrific time in the last months as I was struggling with injuries,” he said.
The Maape-born star had made only one appearance this season before the weekend fixture.
His coach, Mpote defended his decision to throw the defender into the deep end in the derby despite missing a lot of action in the last months. “Edwin is my player. He did everything I asked him to do.
I have a physical trainer who worked on him, so am generally impressed with his display,” Mpote told journalists after the game.
Rollers’ first derby win in two years ensured that they remain at the summit of the log with three points ahead of Jwaneng Galaxy who had their Sunday fixture against Gilport Lions called off due to heavy rains.
In other fixtures, Security Systems held Orapa United to a 1-1 draw at the Itekeng Stadium, while former champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs dropped points as they played to a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Green Lovers at the Serowe Sports Complex.
Black Forest continued their bad form on the road as they lost 2-1 to Sankoyo Bush Bucks, Nico United lost by a solitary goal to Extension Gunners at home.
BDF XI returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over struggling Miscellaneous, while Mahalapye United Hotspurs played to a goalless draw with Police XI.