Big Gaborone derby ends in stalemate

Frederick Kebadiretse
Staff Writer
@ UB stadium | Monday November 8, 2010 00:00

 

The battle for supremacy in the capital city ended in a stalemate as the two Gaborone giants, Township Rollers and Gaborone United (GU), played to a 1-1 draw in the be-MOBILE Premier League match yesterday afternoon.

he derby that started under favourable weather conditions following a cool breeze in the afternoon did not produce much spark as anticipated. Both sides failed to gel and play flowing football in the opening half. Instead, they resorted to high balls and numerous fouls much to the disappointment of the impressive crowd.

GU goalkeeper Kgosietsile Senjoba committed unnecessary errors in the opening minutes that could have granted Rollers an early lead but skipper Joel Mogorosi failed to finish off the chances. The defending champions eventually found the opener 20 minutes into the game through Mweuku Musonda who connected a neat cross from Mogorosi on the right flank. Mogorosi made a superb run from near the centre line rounding Kgaswane Tshifhiwa before whipping in a low cross to Musonda who easily beat Senjoba. After the goal, GU pressurised for an equaliser but could not link well in the midfield where they lacked the services of the sensational but suspended Ofentse Nato.  They still however managed to force at least three good saves from Rollers' stand-in goalkeeper, Mampule Masule. The young Masule who was in for suspended Kabelo Dambe did well to block Ronald Chikomo's close header before saving long-range efforts from Musa Ohilwe and Kgaswane.

Rollers carried the lead into the break. In the second half, GU were a better organised side and had an upper hand over their much-fancied opponents. Despite launching numerous attacks, Moyagoleele just could not find the back of the net. 

Their perseverance however did pay in the 89th minute when an unmarked Chikomo received a cross from second half substitute Mandla Mgadla.  The Zambian hit a powerful header right into the roof of the net to make it 1-1. Despite the draw, Rollers remain tops as second-placed ECCO also got a point from BDF X1 the previous day. Rollers' coach Wesley Mondo said they knew from the beginning that the GU game was never going to be an easy one. However, he was disappointed  that they gave away a cheap goal though he gave credit to GU for their fighting spirit.  GU coach, Mike 'Dubula Dubula' Sithole commended his charges for showing character against the defending champions. The coach who won the league with GU in the 2008-2009 season said he was satisfied with an away point. 'We did not play well in the first half but made a few tactical changes in the second half and it worked for us,' he said. Sithole however decried the unsatisfactory finishing from his team given the numerous chances they created during the game. He wants to improve the striking prowess of the team before his next assignment against Mochudi Centre Chiefs.

Team line-ups

Rollers: Masule-Simisane Mathumo, Edwin Olerile, Kgomare Mothuba (Amos Godirwang 48), Oscar Ncenga, Lawrence Majawa, Mogorosi, Sekhana Koko, Onalethata Tshekiso, Powell Abednico, Musonda (Mohammed Chawila 72)

United: Senjoba-Gabriel Bokhutlo, Kenny Ledikwe (Mgadla 62), Musa Ohilwe, Given Mpundu-Kgaswane, Tumisang Sekanonyane, Thebe Maiketso (Tshepo Molefhe 62), Stephen Maposa (Ntesang Simanyana 85), Sageby Sandaka, Chikomo

Cautions: Ncenga 19, Mothuba 27, Olerile 49, Ohilwe 71, Sekanonyane 82

Man of the Match: Kgaswane Tshifhiwa

Referee: Lekgotla Johannes1st assistant: Elijah Masita2nd assistant: Moemedi Monakwana4th official: Kutlwano Leso

Match rating: 6/10