Rollers' Double Looms

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday April 19, 2010 00:00

There was much fanfare before the game with many people thinking that the former premier league outfit will repeat what they did last year when they knocked Popa out of the country's only prestigious knockout competition. But things came out different this time around. The two teams hold amongst them the most wins in the cup competition that currently carries a first prize of P500,000. Fighters have won it three times while Rollers are the five-time champions.

The Brazilians, as Fighters are known, put up a strong fight in the first half and were unfortunate to concede a goal just before the break. Rollers' captain Joel Mogorosi scored the opener 12 minutes before the break when he capitalised on a goal-mouth melee that resulted from Fighters' failure to clear a lose ball in their box.

Mogorosi tapped the ball home to make sure Mapalastina go for the break in the lead. Apart from the goal, there was nothing special to write home about in the first half apart from a few off target shots at goal by both sides and Oteng Moalosi's goal that was ruled offside. Rollers' coach Rahman Gumbo surely had a smart talk with his charges during the break as they came back better organised, breaking Fighters' defence on the wings and creating multiple chances. Mogorosi scored Popa's second goal to complete his brace 13 minutes from the break. The tricky winger rose above all defenders to connect with a beautiful header from defender Itayi Gwandu's long free-kick beyond the centre line. From there, Rollers took control of the game and danger man Terrence Mandaza could not be left out of the party as he eluded his marker to squeeze the ball through Fighters' goalkeeper Baenga Nkobi and the near post to make it three for Popa on the hour mark. The striker is now a firm favourite to win the Coca-Cola golden boot as he is level on goals with GU's Wellington Maposa going into the finals.  They are on seven goals each. As if they had not done enough damage, diminutive midfielder Edwin Moalosi beat the leaky Fighters' defence to slot in a fourth to send their supporters, who are used to celebrating huge margin wins every week,  into cloud nine.

 Olerile's marvellous display in Popa's attack earned him the P5,000 man of the match award. Substitute Thando Moreki completed the damage with a fifth goal with five minutes to go before full time to make sure the Gaborone West side sail smoothly to the finals. Needing only six points from their four remaining league fixtures to clinch the league, Mapalastina look certain to repeat the feat they last achieved in 2005 when they won the league and the Coca-Cola Cup. After the game, Fighters' co-coach Barney Marman blamed stage fright for his charges' poor display on the day.

He said his game plan was ruined by Rollers' second goal as the players now started panicking thinking they will never come back into the game, thus allowing Rollers much space and more time in the ball resulting in more goals conceded.

Line UpsRollers: Dambe- Kolagano (Kerebotswe), Olerile, Gwandu, Ncenga, Majawa, Godirwang, Moalosi, Mandaza, Tshekiso (Moreki), Mogorosi (Powell).Fighters: Nkobi, Makgale, Onneetse, Toni, Ngope, Mosala, Mositwane, Dikalanyane, Selogamaano (Nhamoiweso), Pilane (Kenosi), Ntebogang.

Township Rollers (1)5(Mogorosi 33, 58, Mandaza 60, Moalosi 82, Moreki 85) Mogoditshane Fighters (0) 0