Rollers Maintain Good Form

Kabelo Boranabi | Monday March 12, 2018 17:43

 

The pressure was on Rollers as their title rivals, Jwaneng Galaxy beat Police XI 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.

It was evident from as early as the fourth minute when Simisane Mathumo nearly buried one into his own net but goalkeeper, Keeagile Kgosipula showed good reflexes to deal with the header. 

Two minutes later, Galabgwe Moyana found Bogosi Nfila with a through-ball but the striker shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Ivan Ntenge had his shot blocked by Black Forest defence.

The loose ball was picked by Nfila who laid to Boyo Lechaena. Lechaena delivered a telling cross for Moyana who headed home with his first goal of the season to give Rollers the lead in the 21st minute.

Four minutes later, Moyana tried the goalkeeper from free kick but it was parried away for a corner. Forest tried to come back into the game, but were let down by failing to time their runs as Zebron Ndjovu and Donald Botshoma were caught offside on numerous occasions. Popa doubled the lead on the brink of half time.

This time, Moyana turned provider as he laid a low cross for Nfila who slotted home his third in Rollers colours. The Blues went into the break holding a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Just seven minutes after coming on for Ndjovu, substitute Molaodi Tlhalefang was gifted a chance to pull one back from a blunder on the Rollers defence, but was superbly denied by Kgosipula for a corner on the 55th minute.

Forest squandered yet another chance as Tiro Pheresi shot straight into the goalkeeper’s hands following an exciting move on the 66th minute.

For the majority of the second half, Forest had the better chances at goal but were let down by poor finishing. Moyana nearly got his brace, but his free kick flew over the bar with seven minutes to the end of the game.

The chance was last action of the game as Rollers move on level points with Galaxy but the latter tops the league on goal difference.

Despite gaining the important three points on the day, Rollers’ coach Nikola Kavazovic was unimpressed with the playing field. He termed his side’s win as “pointless playing in a field like this”.

His counterpart Gilbert Mushangazike blamed lack of experience for the loss.

 

The teams:

Forest: Itumeleng Selepa, Mosimanyana, Basiamisi Sebapalo, Tonderai Nyakuba, Kennedy Taukobong, Thabo Ngada, Mogomotsi Kerebotswe, Tiro Pheresi (Tsaone Mosarwa), Gofaone Mayaba, Donald Botshoma (Bafentse Namati),  Zebron Njobvu (Molaodi Tlhalefang)

Rollers: Keeagile Kgosipula, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Simisani Mathumo (Edwin Olerile), Mosha Gaolaolwe, Kaone Vanderwesthuizen, Boyo Lechaena, Ivan Ntege, Ofentse Nato (Gape Mohutsiwa), Galabgwe Moyana, Segolame Boy (Tiroyaone Maome), Bogosi Mfila

Caution: Kerebotswe