Rollers Return To The Top
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday April 30, 2018 12:24
The win gave Rollers a two-point lead ahead of title rivals Jwaneng Galaxy while Santos were relegated to the lower division. Santos took the lead in the fifth minute as Eric Molefi beat the goalkeeper with his second goal of the season.
Eight minutes later, Joel Mogorosi levelled matters from a close range.
Both teams looked cautions for most part of the first half with Santos looking more incisive in attack.
They regained the lead after Edwin Olerile brought down Benson Ramolelwane inside the box. Odirile Kgaodi stepped up and sent Keeagile Kgosipula the wrong way. Ma-14 made it 3-1 with Eric Molefi beating Kgosipula to the far bottom corner with five minutes to the half time.
After the break, Rollers made a double substitution with Bogosi Nfila and Tsepo Matete coming in for Edwin Olerile and Kaone van der Westuhuizen respectively while Mmoloki Masoko came in for injured Benson Ramolelwane.
Four minutes into the half, Simisane Mathumo pulled one back as he rose highest to head home a corner kick and make it 3-2.
Rollers looked the better side for the first minutes of the half.
Mathumo came close to levelling matters on the hour mark, but had his shot saved by the goalkeeper.
Popa eventually levelled the scores as substitute Mthokosizi Msomi tucked in from close range with his first touch, just a minute after coming on for Galabye Moyana.
In the 80th minute, Mogorosi headed home from close range to give Rollers the lead with his second of the game as the goal proved to be a match winner. “We made silly mistakes. I am angry at the mistakes we made; they were mistakes of a seven-year old.
We need to correct that.
As for now, my focus in on the champions league not the BPL,” Rollers’ coach Nikola Kavazovic said after the game.
His counterpart, Santos’ Thaloba Nthaga credited his players for a good fight but bemoaned defensive errors.
The Teams:
Rollers: Keeagile Kgosipula, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Kaone van der Westuhuizen (Bogosi Nfila), Simisane Mathumo, Edwin Olerile (Tsepo Matete), Maano Ditshupo, Lemponye Tshireletso, - Segolame Boy, Galabye Moyana (Mthokosozi Msomi), Motsholetsi Sikele, Joel Mogorosi
Santos: Gofaone Tapologo, Lemogang Kabo, Ontse Ntesa, Thato Seagateng, Goitsemodio Zoko, Tlamelo Abueng, Kgaodi Odirile, Tshepo Mbulawa, Benson Ramolelwane (Mmoloki Masoko), Eric Loatile Molefi, Mpho Gaegopolwe