Rollers Escape Galaxy Threat
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday February 5, 2018 11:01
Less than a minute into the game, the hosts showed their intentions with Motsholetsi Sikele’s pinpoint cross falling into Ofentse Nato’s path but he shot wide.
Two minutes later, goalkeeper, Ezekiel Morake failed to clear Edwin Olerile’s cross but Sikele could not capitalise as his shot went wide. Rollers kept asking questions while the visitors sat back.
Galaxy’s first chance at goal came in the 17th minute. Gilbert Baruti’s free-kick was finger tipped by Keeagile Kgosipula to concede a corner. Rollers finally got their breakthrough in the 26th minute.
Morake parried Lemponye Tshireletso’s shot into Sikele’s path and the winger had the simplest task as he tapped into an empty net. Kgosipula denied Terrance Mandaza when he tried from outside the box ensuring that his side takes a one-goal lead into the halftime break.
In the first few minutes of the second half, the visitors looked more threatening going forward. In the 55th minute, Baruti’s effort was well collected by Kgosipula while substitute Botshelo Mafoko’s shot from a tight angle hit the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, Mandaza who proved to be a constant threat in the air forced a superb two hands save from Kgosipula just inside the box. Mandaza eventually punished his former side as he out-jumped Mosha Gaolaolwe to head home Baruti’s cross with eight minutes to time.
The visitors put more bodies upfront in search of a winning goal but it proved a little too late as Popa held onto a draw. Rollers’ coach, Nikola Kavazovic was pleased with his charges’ display on the evening but bemoaned countless missed chances.
“We dominated and we should have scored five or six goals. They scored from our stupidity at the back; we really dominated the game,” he said.
Galaxy’s interim coach Matshidiso Moseki felt his side was let down by bad start into the game. “We were better in the second half. We showed character and our level of fitness. We should now concentrate on the league competition,” he said.
Teams:
Rollers: Keeagile Kgosipula, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Edwin Olerile, Ofentse Nato, Maano Ditshupo, Motsholetsi Sikele (Boyo Lechaena), Tsepo Matete (Ivan Ntenge), Edwin Moalosi, Lemponye Tshireletso (Kaone van der Westuhuizen)
Galaxy: Ezikiel Morake, Thabo Leinanyane, Tebogo Moroka, Boitumelo Mafoko, Moagi Sechele, Lesego Molemogi (Senatla Molefe), Olebogeng Malebye, Atisang Batsi (Tebogo Sembowa), Thero Setsile (Botshelo Mafoko), Gilbert Baruti, Terrance Mandaza
Cautions: Lechaena, Gaolaolwe, Mandaza