JJ�s Last Minute Strike Hands Rollers Victory
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday November 6, 2017 11:43
The game was scheduled to be played on Saturday evening at the National Stadium but due to an advertising space war between mobile phone companies, Mascom and BTC it had to be moved to Molepolole Sports Complex. On the pitch, it took Rollers only two minutes to open the scores. Tshepo Matete intercepted a defensive pass and chipped over the keeper who was miles out of his goal post to give Rollers the lead for his first goal in Popa’s colours.
Two minutes later, Systems were gifted a chance to level the scores but Tumelo Madzebedi’s free header went wide. Popa doubled the lead in the 13th minute. Segolame Boy played a one-two with Tshepo Motlhabankwe, he beat defenders with pace and slotted past hapless Joseph Gojaamang to the near post.
Systems gradually found their feet as they found loopholes in the Rollers’ defence. In the 28th minute, Omphile Sebolai pulled a save from Keeagile Kgosipula. In an effort to salvage a point from the game, Thaloba Nthaga opted for striker, Tinashe Chipunza in place of holding midfielder, Michael Pillar. It only took four minutes for the Zimbabwean striker to pull one back.
He controlled inside the box and hit the roof of the net leaving Kgosipula motionless. With a minute to the break, Osego Gaotewe pulled yet another save from Kgosipula from a free kick bringing an end to an action packed half. After the break, both teams looked to dominate the ball but it was the Alarm Boys who were rather successful as Rollers cheaply gave away possession.
With Systems dominating, frustration started to show on the league champions as they rushed their decisions in the final third. In the 77th minute, substitute Thapelo Senoya levelled the scores with yet another goal from the bench.
The attacker got at the end of long throw from Kago Nfila and tapped into an empty net. With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Motsholetsi Sikele found Ramatlhakwana inside the box with a cross. The bully striker headed home in referee’s second of the three added minutes to send the crowd into wild celebrations.
“We played well. The problem is that our attacker joked (sic) in front of goal. It is something that should never happen again,” Rollers’ Nikola Kavazovic told journalists after the game. His counterpart, Systems’ Nthaga said the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. “We gave them too much respect in the first 20 minutes. We allowed them to play. Looking at how we come back into the game, the result is hard to take,” he said.
The Teams
Systems: Joseph Gojaamang, Kago Nfila, Kodziba Tlhabano, Osego Gaotewe, Daniel Montshiwa, Omphile Sebolai, Godiraone Modingwane, Buang Dithebe, Lynoth Chikowa (Thapelo Senoya), Michael Pillar (Tinashe Chipunza), Tumelo Madzebedi
Rollers: Keeagile Kgosipula, Tshepo Motlhankwe, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Simisane Mathumo, Edwin Olerile, Gape Mohutsiwa, Maano Ditshupo, Ntesang Simanyana, Tsepo Matete, Segolame Boy, Edwin Moalosi Caution: Ramatlhakwana, Ntenge
Security Systems 2 (Chipunza 40th, Senoya 77th)
Rollers 3 (Matete 2nd, Boy 13th, Ramatlhakwana 90+2)