Rollers Maintain Lead With Win Over Gilport
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday January 22, 2018 15:57
In a game played under floodlights at the UB Stadium on Saturday, the two teams met under contrasting fortunes with Lions rooted at the bottom of the log while Rollers were back on a winning streak following their first league defeat to Miscellaneous in the past weekend.
It was the champions who asked questions early in the game with Mthokosizi Msomi’s shot going over the bar following a good combination by Rollers attackers in the second minute.
Thirty minutes into the game, youngster Kago Monyake was picked by Motsholetsi Sikele, he beat his marker with skill but was let down by poor finishing as his shot went wide.
Rollers asked questions for most of the half with Lions sitting back and looking to catch their opponents on a counter. Mapalastina eventually broke the deadlock with two minutes to the break through Tsepo Matete.
The crowd favourite got at the end of Monyake’s corner kick at the far post, tapping into the net for his second goal in Popa colours. Rollers took a slender one-goal lead into the break.
Popa continued where they left off with their attacks orchestrated by substitutes, Edwin Moalosi and Segolame Boy who came in for Monyake and Sikele respectively at the break. Seven minutes into the half, Msomi unleashed from outside but the goalkeeper diverted for a corner. Rollers doubled the lead with Lemponye Tshireletso beating the keeper at the far bottom post in the 53rd minute.
The Lions began to gain confidence as the match went on putting numbers upfront. Gilport reduced the deficit with six minutes to time. Atang Morwamang notched in a well-placed shot with the Rollers defence caught napping from a corner.
In the referee’s additional time, Lebopo Moremi nearly broke Rollers supporters’ hearts, but he could not connect well with Poloko Nkalolang’s cross, ensuring that Mapalastina walk away with the maximum points.
“Set pieces, patience, winning mentality and self-confidence is what won us the game as always,” Rollers’ coach, Nikola Kavazovic reacted on the win. His counterpart, Paradzayi Madivenga of Lions was concerned by the team’s failure to convert chances while having a high conceding rate.
“The team played their best game. We are building a team, but we are conceding and not scoring,” he said.
Teams:
Rollers: Keoagile Kgosipula, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Kaone Van Det Westuhuizen, Ofentse Nato, Tsepo Matete, Ivan Ntenge, Maano Ditshupo (Ntesang Simanyana), Kago Monyake (Edwin Moalosi), Lemponye Tshireletso, Motsholetsi Sikele (Segolame Boy), Mthokosizi Msomi
Lions: Tshomarelo More, Bonolo Tukula, Andrew Shadrack, Otlantshekela Mooketsi, Tumisang Sekanonyane, Atang Morwamang, Poloko Nkalolang, Moshe Mokgethi, Lucas Kethametswe (Thapelo Matlhanka), Kago Keotlogele (Lebopo Moremi), Kemo Pumpkin (Oabona Mangope)
Cautions: Motlhabankwe, Sekanonyane
Rollers 2 (Matete 43rd, Tshireletso 53rd)
Lions 1 (Morwamang 84th)