Gunners shoot down Rollers

 

The win saved the Zimbabwean tactician who has been under immense pressure to deliver and a defeat might have spelt doom. Supporters have been baying for his blood and the pressure increased recently when Gunners lost 3-2 to Police XI. Supporters called him names and some questioned his tactics after he failed to field key players Othusitse 'Sphetho' Mahube and Ofentse Mmipi. But after the resounding victory over Rollers, Hunda has been given a much-needed breather.

On Sunday, he put up a brave face as he walked into the pitch wearing a brown suit. Even when he shook hands with Rollers' assistant coach Daniel 'Chicco' Nare before kick-off, he put up a smile. His confidence was vindicated later when the youthful Gunners' players put up a sterling performance to humiliate Rollers. The win sent thousands of Gunners' supporters at the Pandamatenga stand into wild celebrations.

After the match, Hunda told Mmegi Sport that he was not under pressure before the game because he believed in his youthful squad. 'One thing about me is that I am a strong character hence I was not moved. The players also adjusted well to the occasion and followed instructions until the end,' he said.

He said their plan was to close Rollers on the wings and cut the supply to the strikers. The plan worked well as Gunners never gave their opponents room to move. 'I was impressed by the effort that those boys (Mahube and Mmipi) put in during the game. That is what I expected from them because they are now focused,' said Hunda.

Rollers' assistant coach, Nare, said they gave away two silly goals in the opening half when they failed to react in time and clear danger. 'Gunners were all over us in the first half and we only managed to recover in the second half. We created chances which we failed to bury and I think we could have been composed, a draw would have been a fair result,' asserted Nare. He said they will have to go back to the drawing board and plan for the game with TAFIC at the UB Stadium this Saturday. 'We will have to change our approach against TAFIC,' he said.

Against Rollers, Gunners played like a side possessed and never let their opponents intimidate them. Buoyed by their vociferous supporters at the eastern stand, Mapantsula opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Kgololo Leteane's header after Rollers' goalkeeper Goitseone 'Shakes' Morake failed to deal with Kemmy Pilato's well struck free-kick.

Alongside Mahube, Mmipi and Leteane, Pilato played one of his best games of the season. He covered every space and gave Rollers many problems. Rollers tried to equalise but Patrick Kasonga and Edwin Olerile missed their chances. With Bernard Semakwezi closely watched by Gunners' defender Thulani Moyo, the challenge of scoring was left to Moemedi 'Jomo' Moatlhaping and Sekhana 'Nandos' Koko, but the duo seemed out of sorts.

When least expected, Gunners increased the lead on the stroke of halftime. Striker Otlaadisa 'TRX' Mohambi was fouled outside the box and with Rollers' goalkeeper once again failing to handle Pilato's free-kick, Nkosinathi Khumalo converted from a rebound to make it  2-0.

Rollers reduced the arrears in the 73rd minute when Moatlhaping headed home from close range. Despite the goal, Moatlhaping failed to live up to expectations. The goal brought some hope to Mapalastina but their dreams of getting an equaliser died in the 87th minute when Mohambi pounced to make it 3-1. The celebrations that followed were unbelievable.

This is how the teams lined-up:
Gunners: Mandivenga Paradzayi, Finkie Mothibi (capt), Owen Molato, Mogorosi Magetse, Moyo, Pilato, Mahube, Mmipi, Mohambi, Khumalo and Leteane (Lebogang Mohlomi).

Rolllers: Morake (Barolong Lemmenyane), Kgomari Mothuba (capt), Boitumelo Mafoko, Kedieile Ntshosa (Onalethata Tshekiso), Thebe Maiketso, Koko, Kasonga, Olerile, Semakwezi, Moatlhaping and Mmusa Ohilwe.

Mmegi Sport Man of the Match: Kemmy Pilato (Gunners)