Madamombe shines for ECCO

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Monday October 11, 2010 00:00

The two sides drew 2-2 and kept their unbeaten run in seven games.

Rollers remain at the top of the log with 19 points, beating ECCO City into second place on goal difference.Madamombe, who started ahead of Michael Onkutule, frustrated Rollers with some spectacular saves including a penalty from captain Joel Mogorosi in the second half. Since joining ECCO City from Boteti Young Fighters at the start of the season, Madamombe seems to have grown in confidence.

In an interview with Monitor Sport at the end of the game, the Zimbabwean goalkeeper said, 'I don't want to take credit alone because my defenders did a fantastic job in protecting me.

'It was a game where we needed to give our all and show people that we can play good football. The other thing is that the spirit in the camp is high and we played as a unit.' Madamombe added that though they remain unbeaten in the league, they are not thinking about winning the championship.

'We are taking each game as it comes and we'll see what happens (at the end of the season),' he concluded.Despite the draw, Rollers' coach Wesley Mondo was satisfied with his boys' display. He pointed out that they probably blew the game away when Mogorosi missed the penalty in the 51st minute.

'It (missing the penalty) put us under a lot of pressure but I'm not blaming him as it happens in football,' he said.

Mondo, who is enjoying his time at Rollers so far, pointed out that he is excited by the prospect of playing bitter rivals Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the next game. Both sides lock horns at the New Lobatse Stadium on Saturday afternoon in a game which is expected to be a thriller.

'It is good to play Chiefs at this time (when Chiefs are not doing well),' he said with a smile. Mondo left Chiefs for Rollers at the end of last season under dubious circumstances despite steering the team to second place in both the league and Coca-Cola Cup.

Credit has to go to both sides for the brilliant display yesterday. ECCO opened the scoring in the 18th minute from Bolelang's penalty after Kgomari Mothuba fouled Mandlaenkosi Sibanda in the box. Mogorosi equalised with a cheeky tap-in in the 32nd minute before completing his brace from the spot in the 44th minute after Onalethata Tshekiso was fouled.

ECCO did not sit back and were rewarded when Bolelang scored his second penalty of the game after Oscar Ncenga handled in the box.

Both sides missed a number of chances, which could have given them a winner.

Team line-ups; Rollers: Kabelo Dambe, Pius Kolagano, Edwin Olerile, Ncenga, Mothuba, Lawrence Majawa, Mogorosi, Powell Abednico, Tshekiso, Sekhana Koko, Mweuka Musonda (Thapelo Balepi 77).

ECCO City: Madamombe, Trinity Nko, Mooketsi Hlabano (Tseompe Makumbi 71), Wabo Mungabe, Emmanuel Nlu, Zecco Makafiri, Sibanda, Mmoloki Kafuko, Bolelang, Bonolo Frazer (Nicolas Matlhare 71), Patrick Lenyeletse (Kereeditse Maphane 90).

Man Of The Match: Chamunorwa Madamombe

Cautions: Mothuba 18, Lenyeletse 30, Kolagano 41, Sibanda 50, Ncenga 56, Nlu 88

Referee: Lekgotla JohannesAss Referees: Elijah Masitha and Simankalele BakwenaFourth Official: Tirelo Mositwane

Match Rating: 8/10