Fringe Players Impress Mpote As Shilongo Strikes
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday March 27, 2017 16:00
First half goals from Khulekani Madondo and former Gaborone United striker, Benson Shilongo gave the visitors the win while Pape Ndaw got a consolation goal for the home side in a game that was used to advocate gender equality in sport.
Mpote used the game to test some of his fringe players including Ocean Lottering, Keeagile Kgosipula and Gofaone Tiro. Cavin Johnson on the other hand tested the depth of his squad as his team is still in the running for three cups.
Rollers suffered an injury blow early in the game as Simisane Mathumo was forced out after a clash with Kobamelo Kodisang with Ntesang Simanyana taking his place in the 12th minute forcing Rollers to play with a make shift central defensive pair of Tshepo Motlhabankwe and Obuile Ncenga.
Two minutes later, the home side looked to take an early lead as Joel Mogorosi found Terrence Mandaza with a pin-point pass but the striker shot wide. Madondo tried Kgosipula from outside the box, but his shot went over the bar in the 17th minute.
The attacker eventually broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when he tucked in from close range, capitilising on Rollers’ defensive blunder. Stars doubled their lead in the 36th minute. Kodisang got the better of Mohutsiwa with pace, centred the ball for Shilongo who easily beat Kgosipula at the far post.
Stars, sensing the game was in the bag, threw in 14-year-old Katlego Khonou. The visitors took a comfortable 2-0 lead to the break.
Seven minutes into the second half, full back Thato Bolelweng surged forward, played one-two passes with Segolame Boy but the end result was not as neat as the move, with the final shot going over.
In the 65th minute, Motsholetsi Sikele curled a free kick into the box and Ndaw’s header was blocked by the keeper.
But the Senegalese caught the ball on the rebound to reduce the deficit.
The lanky Senegalese striker nearly equalised but his header from a corner kick went over the bar with eight minute to time. Kgosipula finger tipped Tshekiso Lesabane’s low drive for a corner in the 88th minute. The chance was the last action of the game as Stars walked away winners of the high profile friendly game.
“Yeah, I’m so happy with my fringe players for what they showed today. We cannot play them week in week out because of some reasons, but we tested them today and they played well. I am impressed,” Mpote said after the game.
The teams:
Rollers: Keeagile Kgosipula, Edwin Olerile, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Simisane Mathumo (Ntesang Simanyana (Gofaone Tiro), Thato Bolelweng, Gape Mohutsiwa, Motsholetsi Sikele (Edwin Moalosi), Obuile Ncenga, Segolame Boy (Ocean Lottering), Joel Mogorosi (Pape Ndaw), Terrence Mandaza
Stars: Mwenya Chibwe, Michael Mabule, Thuto Mphahlele, Isaac Nhlapo, Jomo Gumede, Khulekani Madondo, Ennocent Mkhabela (Kamohelo Mathe), Gerald Phiri, Kobamelo Kodisang (Tshekiso Lesabane), Sipho Senne (Katlego Khonou), Benson Shilongo
Cautions: Mohutsiwa, Olerile
Rollers 1 (Ndaw 65th)
Platinum Stars 2 (Madondo 21st, Shilongo 36th)