Rollers silence Gunners in queens charity cup

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday March 4, 2013 00:00

Maikano Maikano pulled one back for the Lobatse side early in the second half following an avalanche of missed chances against a relatively weaker Rollers side. For the tie, Rollers rested most first team players while Gunners started with their strongest line-up with the likes of goalkeeper Takudzwa Ndoro and skipper Monageng Thaele. It was however the Rollers youngsters who came to the party in the opening six minutes of the match and deservedly got the opening goal. A quick attacking move in the third minute caught Gunners defence in sixes and sevens and Kebaikanye easily slotted the ball past Ndoro. Still smarting from conceding an early goal, Gunners were caught cold three minutes later as Kebaikanye pounced again. Gunners slowly got their rhythm with their quick passing game, creating a number of goal scoring chances that went to waste. Thaele came face to with the Rollers' goalkeeper in the last minute of the opening half but shot wide when it seemed almost impossible to miss.

Gunners continued playing a more entertaining game in the second half, but finishing was their major Achilles Heel. Maikano would score a consolation goal 10 minutes before time but Rollers had already sealed the game by then. The charity match was a part of a series of events organised by the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust to raise funds for charity works in Commonwealth nations. Rollers and Gunners were given P15,000 for playing the match. Before the game, there was a curtain raiser involving parliamentary staff and their counterparts from diplomatic missions in Botswana. Parliament won the match 2-0. Among those playing for Parliament were MPs, Fidelis Molao, Dikgang Makgalemele and Bagalatia Aaron. The chairperson of the trust and former Speaker, Patrick Balopi said the event went well despite a low turnout of supporters.

He said they are hoping for better success in their next events, which includes a four-team soccer tournament. The teams taking part would be chosen by fans through sms. He said they are trying to raise as much money as possible because every Commonwealth member state is expected to contribute something towards assisting the poor.