Rollers sweat over Motlhabankwe fitness
Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday April 19, 2017 15:33
Motlhabankwe, Popa’s reliable defender, was forced off the field mid way through the second half with an injury on the quadriceps and was replaced by Bogosi Kaekwe on the 65th minute.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday, Rollers’ coach Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote said the veteran defender is yet to return to training and he is yet to know the extent of the injury.
“It looks very bad. He will be going to the doctor this afternoon (Tuesday) for further examinations.
He also missed today’s training,” he said. Mpote said it will be a big blow for the team to lose the versatile defender as they are gunning for their second consecutive league title.
“We need every player because we will be playing too many games in a very short period of time. Of course we have other players who are fit and can fill his position but as one the experienced guys in the team, we will need him,” he said.
Two first half goals from Edwin Moalosi and Lemponye Tshireletso gave Popa the valuable three points as they opened a two point lead at the top of the table.
Tshireletso drew first blood with a splendid chip over advancing Noah Maposa after outpacing his marker in the seventh minute. Moalosi doubled the lead in the 32nd minute after a blunder by Maposa. Jerome Ramatlhakwana reduced the deficit with a free kick in the 64th minute, with his ninth goal of the league campaign.
“We drew our previous three league matches in a row, but we were always creating more chances than our opponents in those games yet we were not converting. Now we managed two goals and got the win, which is an improvement,” Mpote told the club’s official website.
Meanwhile, Gaborone United played to a third consecutive draw as seventh- placed Security Systems held them to a goalless draw on Sunday afternoon.
Orapa United thumped bottom-placed United Hotspurs 5-0 while Nico United boosted their chances of avoiding relegation with a 3-0 win over Police XI.
Green Lovers’ Malvin Chipunza continued his impressive form in front of the goals as his side played a one-all draw with Jwaneng Galaxy on Good Friday. Gilport Lions and Miscellaneous played to a goalless draw while Extension Gunners’ Moatlhodi Ralesotla scored a second consecutive brace as his side played to a two-all draw with Sankoyo Bush Bucks. Black Forest beat BDF XI on Saturday afternoon at the Molepolole Sports Complex.