Rollers Edge Nervy TAFIC
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday September 25, 2017 16:05
Nerves cost Matjimenyenga in the opening half of the tie played at the Francistown Sports Complex. It took Popa six minutes to remind TAFIC of the rigours of top-flight football. Segolame Boy posted a long corner kick to the far end and Tshepo Motlhabankwe’s cushioned header found Edwin Moalosi who controlled and drove into the net. In the 10th minute TAFIC had a half chance but Golebaone Baopedi saw his rocket from outside the box finger-tipped out for a corner by Popa’s goalkeeper, Keagile Kgosipula. Joel Mogorosi escaped his markers but was forced to the by-line by the TAFIC keeper, Abednico Morapedi. The winger rolled the ball onto the path of Boy who calmly picked a spot and buried to the far post in the 28th minute. TAFIC’s first half nightmare was summed up by their captain Mooketsi Mampori who skied a half chance from inside the box. Ten minutes into the second half, the home side saw another chance go begging. Kgakgamatso Ramatshosa’s free header in the 16-yard box went inches over the bar. The home side found their groove mid second half and attacked the Popa box with fortitude. Their efforts paid off on the 72nd when Obakeng Gaanabeng pulled the trigger from 20 yards. Substitute Uyapo Thibathuwe rolled a back pass from inside the Popa box and Gaanabeng’s first touch bullet to the top right left Kgosipula hanging.
TAFIC found the groove and nearly equalised in the dying minutes when Elias pounced onto Mosha Gaolaolwe’s poor back pass, but his effort hit the attacking goalkeepers arm before the defender recovered to clear.
Boy was nominated man of the match and walked away P1,000 cash and P200 airtime.
TAFIC’s assistant coach, Elias Chinyemba said stage fright cost them the game. “We gave them a lot of respect in the opening half but we recovered well in the second. It is not bad for a start, we are just like any other side in the Premiership and we will be more confident in our next game.” Rollers coach, Nicola Kovacic said the game came out exactly as they expected. “We controlled the first half and they applied pressure in the second which made it difficult for us to play, they are a little bit better team,” he said.
The teams
TAFIC: Abednico Morapedi, Motseoatile Elijah, Kerapetse Mosimanewakgosi, Bokamoso Mbambo, Kgakgamatso Ramatshosa, Molebatsi Kangwangwani (Michael Murirwa), Mooketsi Mampori (Uyapo Thibathuwe), Obakeng Gaanabeng, Kemoreng Batisani, Mbatshi Elias, Golebaone Baopedi (Lungisani Fanyana)
Rollers: Keagile Kgosipula, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Simisani Mathumo, Maano Ditshupo, Edwin Moalosi (Thato Bolweleng), Segolame Boy, Tshepo Matete (Ivan Ntenge), Motsholetsi Sikele (Ntesang Simanyana), Lemponye Tshireletso, Joel Mogorosi
Cautions: Mbambo, Batisani, Ditshupo.
TAFIC (0) 1 (Gaanabeng 72nd)
Rollers 2 (Moalosi sixth, Boy 28th)