Rollers in Mascom Top 8 finals

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Tuesday July 3, 2012 00:00

 

Rollers won the semi-finals 4-2 in aggregate. Ngele, who had a rather quiet afternoon set up an assist for the first goal scored by Phenyo Molefhe earlier in the  second half before putting the final nail in GU's  coffin. He was playing his last game for Rollers before leaving for his new home at Platinum Stars in South African ABSA Premier League.

For the first goal, 'Tsotso' sent a pin point pass to Sekhana Koko who eliminated two defenders inside the box before setting Molefhe who did not waste time putting the ball in the roof of the net.

Kgololo Leteane equalised with a brilliant goal seven minutes before regulation time controlling the ball from the centre circle through the defence and slotting past Dambe from inside the box. Rollers survived some tense moments as GU started to look dangerous in the final minutes of regulation time seeking a second goal.

GU's efforts to stage a comeback however, suffered a knock when they were reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute with usual suspect Tumisang Sekanonyane shown a straight red for dangerous play on Gaopatwe Seosenyeng.

Rollers, carrying a slim 2-1 lead from the semifinals first leg started the game a better lot launching several attacks on the GU rearguard. Molefhe missed a glorious chance 25 minutes into the match hooking the ball over an approaching Noah Maposa, but the effort missed the top right corner of the goal by inches.

The striker would test Maposa again two minutes later with a powerful header from close range, but the keeper was equal to the task. Agisanyang Ramaabya nearly inflicted pain into Rollers supporters by scoring an own goal while trying to clear the ball with a header, but Kabelo Dambe came to the rescue.Rollers continued their search for a goal in the second half with Koko coming close in two occasions.

The speedy winger came clear on goal from a corner kick but shot straight at Maposa before fluffing another chance in the 51st minute. Dambe came off his line in the 61st prize with ECCO who proceeded to the finals at the expense of Mochudi Centre Chiefs on Saturday.

Line-ups:GU: Maposa- Gaopatwe Seosenyeng, Sekanonyane, Tshifiwa Kgaswane, George Ohilwe-Ofentse Nato, Tshepo Molefe (Bakang Moeng 29), Kgololo Leteane, Mandla Mgadla (Thebe Maiketso 58)-Ronald Chikomo (Pako Moloi 64)

Rollers: Dambe- Oscar Ncenga, Edwin Olerile, Simisane Mathumo, Ramaabya-Lawrence Majawa, Ngele, Simanyana, Koko-Molefhe (Sembowa 90+1) Cautions-Seosenyeng 50, Maposa 74, Sekanonyane 74 (red)