Rollers Win But Out
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday February 20, 2017 15:21
CNaPS won the first leg of the preliminary round tie 2-1 in Madagascar a week earlier. On Saturday, Rollers created several chances in the first half but failed to convert them into goals. They started upfront with Pape Ndaw and tried playing long and high balls upfront.
With goalkeeper, Mwampule Masule injured during the week, Rollers started with Keeagile Kgosipula in goal. CNaPS took the lead in the 13th minute through Milison after poor defending by Rollers. However, Rollers equalised through Lemponye Tshireletso after a dangerous ball into the box from a corner kick. Although they played defensively and put numbers behind the ball, the visiting side looked dangerous every time they moved forward. Njiva Rakotoarimalala was a constant threat and gave the likes of Lawrence Majawa a hard time in the middle of the park.
The two sides were level at halftime. In the second half, Rollers piled pressure and were rewarded when the visitors’ defender handled the ball inside the box trying to block Majawa’s shot. Edwin Moalosi stepped forward and converted to give Rollers a 2-1 lead. However the celebrations were short-lived as CNaPS equalised through substitute, Eric following another bad defending by Rollers at the back. The visiting side continued to put numbers behind the ball but looked dangerous when they launched an attack. Rollers’ attacking midfielder, Segolame Boy scored a cracking goal but it was not enough as the Madagascan side defended well until the final whistle.
“We are disappointed because we wanted to progress to the next stage. Collectively we didn’t have enough numbers behind the ball and the application at the back was not there,” Rollers coach, Teenage Mpote said after the game.
No comment could be obtained from the Madagascar bench as their interpreter had rushed to the hotel before full time.
The line-ups:
Kgosipula, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Simisani Mathumo, Mogogi Ganonamong (Joel Mogorosi), Majawa, Moalosi, Maano Ditshupo, Ndaw (Terrence Mandaza), Boy, Tshireletso (Ntesang Simanyana)
CNaPS: Jean Donne, Ando Rakotondrazaka, Tobisoa Njakanirima, Jaotombo Bowrahim, Njiva Rakotoarimalala, Milison Niasexe (Eric), Michael Rabeson, Tahiana Randrianarisoa (Tantelly), Rija Rasoanaivoarison, Ronald Rasaonarivelo, Panto Andriamahalina
Cautions: Ditshupo, Donne
Rollers 3 (Tshireletso 30th, Moalosi 62nd, Boy 68th)
CNaPS 2 (Niasexe 13th, Eric 66th)