Rollers aim to bounce back

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Friday February 5, 2010 00:00

 

Rollers' title credentials have been dented after they threw a 2-0 lead against Chiefs last weekend to lose 3-2. It could be a sign of a continuing decline because at one time, Rollers were leading Chiefs by eight points and they seemed to be running away with the title but now the gap is a mere two points.

The 3-2 setback last weekend is Rollers' second defeat of the season after a 1-0 loss to Uniao Flamengo Santos 1-0 early in the campaign. After the weekend defeat, some Rollers' supporters have blamed Zimbabwean coach, Rahman Gumbo for wrong fielding and tactics. This week there have been debate whether the coach is the right man to lead Mapalastina to the Promised Land after five years of drought. Rollers lead the be Premier League standings with 38 points from 16 games.

Gumbo told Mmegi Sport yesterday that he is confident that his side is on the right track despite what befell them at the weekend. 'We managed to talk to the players that losing to Chiefs does not mean that it is the end of the world. We've to pick ourselves up and focus on the remaining 14 games. The good thing is that my players are positive about it and we are preparing for the game against Boteti with the right mindset,' he said.

Gumbo pleaded with the supporters to rally behind the team and accept that the defeat to Chiefs is water under the bridge. He said fans who slammed him for the wrong tactics against Chiefs are entitled to their opinions. 'Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion but the most important thing is that we've to move on. I understand the supporters' frustrations because they want to associate with the winning team,' he said.

Rollers' captain Thapelo 'Pepe' Balepi shared the sentiments and said that they have to be positive about the future. He pointed out that their defeat to Chiefs came at the right time and served as a wake-up call. 'If we harbour any thoughts of winning the league, we have to focus on the remaining 14 games.

The good thing is that the players now understand that winning the championship will not come on a silver platter. The coach talked to us and advised us not to let the defeat make us lose focus,' he said.

Balepi added that he is confident that they will bounce back against Boteti, a side they hammered 5-1 in the first round in the diamond-mining town of Orapa.

Long-time Rollers' supporter Mookodi 'Teddy Bear' Seisa said that the most important thing is to check where they lost the game and move on. He said pointing fingers will not help their cause to deliver the title.

'The good thing is that the Chiefs' game has come and gone. The painful thing is that people tend to forget the good job the coach has done before the weekend's loss. The players also must take charge especially when it becomes clear that the tactics which the coach employed are not bearing fruit,' he said. The Boteti/Rollers' game kicks off at 3.30pm.

The following are the rest of the weekend's games;

SaturdayNotwane vs Jwaneng Comets - Molepolole Sports Stadium (6.30pm)Police XI vs TAFIC - Police College, OtseECCO City Greens vs Extension Gunners - Francistown StadiumBMC vs Nico United - Lobatse Stadium

SundayBDF XI vs Motlakase - Molepolole Sports Stadium

NB: All games kick off at 3.30pm unless stated otherwise.