Orapa Show Rollers The Exit
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday February 27, 2017 16:21
A goal in each half from bullish striker Omaatla Kebatho and Tendai Nyumasi ensured that the defending champions reach their second consecutive final.
Rollers came into the match trailing by two goals hence showed intentions to get a goal early into the match. In the third minute, Lemponye Tshireletso tried Kaelo Joseph from outside the box but the keeper was not troubled.
In the 17th minute, Edwin Moalosi found Terence Mandaza with a lob but the striker skied his effort. A minute later, United broke the deadlock though Nyumasi. Lesenya Ramoraka played a low cross into the box, Kebatho controlled and laid for Nyumasi who easily beat Kabelo Dambe.
In the 37th minute, Rollers’ coach Mogomotsi Mpote replaced Gofaone Tiro who was given a rare start with Maano Ditshupo as he tried to fix the depleted midfield. The teams went into the break with the visitors leading by a goal.
At the start of the second half, Rollers came in looking for an equaliser but their efforts were easily thwarted by the Ostriches defence. On the hour mark, United launched a counter attack following an attack on their half. Moyo played one two passes with Kebatho.
The striker overpowered Mosha Gaolaolwe and slotted at the far post to double the Ostriches’ lead. With the game seemingly out of Popa’s reach, Mpote threw his last dice as he replaced Lawrence Majawa with Senegalese Pape Ndaw.
The Senegalese got the consolation goal with seven minutes to time as he tapped in Tshireletso’s low driven cross. The goal breathed life on the Rollers side but it was too little too late for the former champions.
“Rollers have quality players. So we targeted their individual strengths when we came into the game. We did not plan on their performance as a whole team, but we tried to beat them at their individual’s weakness.
But you can’t take anything from them, they are very good side,” said Orapa United coach, Madinda Ndlovu after the game. On the other hand, Mpote lashed out at his players for an unenthusiastic display. “I question my players’ commitment. The commitment they showed in the last minutes where was it the whole game? We did not come to the party, we were trailing by two goals but the whole game it was like Orapa was the
one that was trailing,” he said.
The teams’ line-ups:
Rollers: Kabelo Dambe, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Simisane Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Thato Bolweleng, Lawrence Majawa (Pape Ndaw), Edwin Moalosi (Joel Mogorosi), Segolame Boy, Gofaone Tiro (Maano Ditshupo), Terrence Mandaza, Lemponye Tshireletso
Orapa: Kaelo Joseph, Kealeboga Molebatsi, Olekantse Mambo, Thabang Mosige, Lesenya Ramoraka, Kemmy Pilato, Tendai Nyumasi (Khumoetsile Kufigwa), Ronald Chikomo (Nelson Moreetsi), Patrick Lenyeletse (Zebron Ndjovu), Gift Moyo, Omaatla Kebatho
Cautions: Mambo, Joseph, Nyumasi, and Chikomo
Rollers 1 (Ndaw 82nd)
Orapa 2 (Nyumasi 18th, Kebatho 60th)