Last Minute Equaliser Saves Rollers
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday March 20, 2017 16:21
The defender towered above his markers to head home the equaliser in the sixth of the referee’s seven additional minutes. Popa rattled the post twice and had a goal disallowed while Gunners felt robbed due to the late equaliser. Following the resignation of Daniel Nare, club legend Itumeleng Duicker led Mapantsola on the day. Neither side took immediate control of the game. However, Ofentse Mmipi came close in the 10th minute as he tested Kabelo Dambe from outside the box but the keeper collected well. Rollers missed two consecutive chances in the 21st and 30th minutes, with Segolame Boy failing to control Ntesang Simanyana’s pass inside the box and Lemponye Tshireletso hit the side netting from a long range effort. In the 35th minute, Moatlhodi Ralesotla failed to control his header from Oabile Makopo’s cross while Edwin Moalosi’s thunderbolt hit the cross and the follow up effort from Tshireletso was saved by Katlego Mbise with a minute to the break.
The teams went into recess level. Following a rather dull start to the second half, Gunners’ prodigal son Mmipi broke the deadlock two minutes past the hour mark.
The attacker’s shot took a deflection and beat Dambe to the low upright. Rollers piled pressure on their opponents in search for an equaliser. Mbise was forced to make a double save in the 65th following attempts from Tshireletso and substitute Terrence Mandaza.
Ten minutes later, Mandaza turned and laid to Moalosi who shot straight into the keeper’s hands. Gofaone Tiro hit the cross bar in the 87th minute while a minute later Mandaza scored from close angle but he was ruled offside.
Rollers were awarded a corner kick in the dying minutes of the game. Mathumo rose highest to head home, as defender Leteng Legopelo tried to clear the ball from the line, but the referee pointed to the centre spot to gift Rollers the equaliser. As Lekgotla Johannes blew the final whistle, Gunners’ fans threw objects into the field to show their disappointment.
“I thought we controlled the game properly. Gunners closed all our channels hence why we were dull in the first half. We then decided to go for power play with introduction of speedy wingers.
We wanted to force their centre backs to come out to cover. But all in all this was a good game of football,” said Rollers’ coach, Mogomotsi Mpote.
A comment could not be obtained from Gunners’ camp as Duicker stormed into the dressing room after the television interview.
The teams
Gunners: Katlego Mbise, Katlego Mothibi, Oabile Makopo, Leteng Legopelo, Desire Bafana, Letlhogonolo Mosala (Kgololo Kgogobi), Mmoloki Kebalepile, Ofentse Mmipi, Kenanao Kgetholetsile, Mandla Mgadla (Thabiso Mabachi), Moatlhodi Ralesota (Bonno Mosea)
Rollers: Kabelo Dambe, Maano Ditshupo, Simisane Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Edwin Olerile, Lawrence Majawa, Ntesang Simanyana (Gofaone Tiro), Segolame Boy, Lemponye Tshireletso, Kekaetswe Moloi (Terrence Mandaza), Edwin Moalosi (Motsholetsi Sikele) Cautions: Mothibi, Bafana
Rollers 1 (Mathumo 90+5)
Gunners 1 (Mmipi 62nd)