Hell hath no fury like Rollers scorned
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday March 10, 2017 14:45
They last failed to collect maximum points in a 0-0 stalemate against Miscellaneous back in December.
Under Teenage Mpote, Rollers have not only beaten Gilport Lions twice, but also dismissed traditional rivals, Gaborone United (GU).
Mpote was also in charge when his side demolished Orapa United 4-1 at the National Stadium. Following his side’s defeat in the Mascom Top 8 as well as the CAF Champions League, Mpote told this publication that all was not lost and called for calm among the supporters.
He said focus was what was needed now that they had only the league title to play for this season. A week later, Rollers are sitting comfortably at the summit with 43 points. Other title rivals, Jwaneng Galaxy and Orapa United are trailing by six points and 11 points respectively.
Orapa’s title charge suffered a dent when they lost 2-1 at home to BDF XI on Tuesday. Jwaneng Galaxy dropped two points a day later against Extension Gunners, leaving a gap of six points between them and Rollers.
Rollers have managed to shuffle their squad in every game and still grind results. Against GU, Rollers started up front with Terrence Mandaza who scored the only goal of that match. Next was Sankoyo Bush Bucks where Kekaetswe Moloi was given a rare start.
He scored one of the goals in the 3-0 demolition. Two other goals came from winger, Lemponye Tshireletso.
On Tuesday, Mpote opted to start with two strikers, Mandaza and Moloi, who both got on to the score sheet. Tshireletso scored a brace in his second successive match and took his tally to 10 goals. Mandaza leads the charts with 12 goals.
As both Rollers and Orapa United face-off for the fourth time this season, it will be interesting to see who comes out tops between Mpote and Orapa coach, Madinda Ndlovu.
Mpote has served as an assistant to Ndlovu two seasons ago at Rollers. Ndlovu has already beaten his former assistant back to back in the Mascom Top 8 semi-final while the latter came tops in the first round league encounter.
Meanwhile, Extension Gunners and GU clash this Sunday in Lobatse in another titanic encounter.
Relegation candidates, Nico United and Green Lovers meet in Selebi -Phikwe tomorrow while Chiefs will be looking to bounce back to winning ways against Black Forest.