Rollers Sign Off In Fine Style
Tumelo Mouwane | Monday May 29, 2017 15:27
Rollers completed the season with 66 points, eight ahead of Galaxy while Orapa United was a distant third on 51. Extension Gunners, Gaborone United, Security Systems, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and BDF XI complete the top eight sides, while Mahalapye United Hotspurs, Green Lovers and Nico United are off to the First Division. Uniao Flamengo Santos, Sharps Shooting Stars and TAFIC are the Premiership’s new boys.
On Saturday, Mapalastina showed early aggression but Galaxy defended well, with Tebogo Moroka and Thabo Leinanyane repelling attacks.
Galaxy settled into the game with Thabang Sesinyi and Tebogo Sembowa making the early running.
On the Rollers’ side, Joel Mogorosi was notably influential on the right wing. Sesinyi sent a set piece over after 25 minutes. The two were deadlocked when they were sent to the dug-out for the half time break.
In the 51st minute, Tshepo Motlhabankwe sent a low shot which beat, Anthony Gouws but Thabo Leinanyane cleared off the line.
Galaxy were now threatening but nothing came out of it.
Gouws parried Mandaza’s low shot off the goal line in the 75th minute. But moments later, Mandaza who finished as the league’s top scorer with 17goals, scored Popa’s winner in the 86th minute.
Galaxy coach, Michael ‘Dubula Dubula’ Sithole said the performance was not bad despite the fact that they went into the game looking for maximum points. “I give my players, managers and the whole team credit for going this far. It is not easy for a team that is still new in the Premiership to win a cup and finish where we are. The team has worked really hard,” he said.
His Rollers counterpart, Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote said his team managed to win the league because his dressing room was ‘clean’. “I made sure that all the boys and the administration are behind me. My team worked very hard to retain this title,” he said.
The teams:
Township Rollers: Kabelo Dambe, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Edwin Olerile, Obuile Ncenga, Simisani Mathumo, Lawrence Majawa, Joel Mogorosi (Motsholetsi Sikele) Maano Ditshupo, Segolame Boy, Lemponye Tshireletso (Gape Mohutsiwa) Terrence Mandaza
Jwaneng Galaxy: Anthony Gouws, Tebogo Moroka, Thabo Leinanyane, Pako Lekgari, Boitumelo Mafoko, Mmusa Ohilwe, Olebogeng Malebye (Peter Olangi) Thabang Sesinyi, Morris Ruzivo, Tebogo Sembowa, Thero Setsile