Troubled Rollers seek Top 8 salvation

411,Boitumelo Khutsafalo,phpCD8F.tmp.jpg, | Sunday May 22, 2016 00:00

The club has been dealt a heavy blow in their attempt to win a double this season when Botswana Football Association (BFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC) found them guilty of using a defaulter.

 One of their key players going into the finals, Ofentse Nato has been declared improperly registered and his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) cancelled. 

The midfielder played a part in the semi-finals and helped Rollers overcome rivals, Mochudi Centre Chiefs to set a date with The Ostriches.  Facing the wrath of the law over the issue, Rollers will temporarily have to switch their minds to their clash with Orapa United in what is expected to be a thrilling encounter.

 It is Rollers’ fourth final in the competition in its fifth edition and face a tricky side that is also in the race for the league championship.  Rollers have lost just once in this season’s edition in the second leg of the quarterfinals against Police XI. 

Their road to the final kicked off against the Jungle Kings where they staged an epic comeback to win 4-2 in the first leg.  Police XI had earlier on taken a two-goal lead.  Despite winning the second leg by a solitary goal, it was not enough for Police XI to progress to the final as they lost 4-3 on aggregate. 

Rollers then drew rivals, Chiefs in the semi-final and won 3-1 in the first leg courtesy of Galabgwe Moyana, Maano Ditshupo and Gofaone Tiro’s goals.  The second leg was marred by controversy before kick-off with regard to the protest lodged by Chiefs.  They, however, went onto win it 2-0 with captain Ditshupo and Joel Mogorosi on target.  Ditshupo remains the leading goal scorer in this edition with four goals coming from the midfield and is expected to once against lead his side against highly determined Orapa United.

In the absence of Nato, whose season has abruptly come to an end through a decision by BFA DC, Rollers are likely to stick with Lawrence Majawa and Ditshupo as the two holding midfielders.

The two will be up against Mgcini Sibanda and Patrick Motsepe.  Rollers go into the match with a total of nine goals scored already in this edition. They have conceded four goals. Orapa have scored six goals excluding the penalties against BDF XI and conceded four on their road to the final. Rollers will be without Tiro who picked up an injury recently, but have wide range of options to use on the wings.  Comment: “We have had challenges in this road, but I am grateful that we still managed to reach here.  We should now take what belongs to us. We have planned a motorcade in villages such as Chadibe, Borolong and Mathangwane then off to Francistown before the match. Our intention is not only to leave a mark on the pitch, but also try and reach out to the people in the north,” Rollers spokesperson, Bafana Pheto said. 

Road To The Final

Quarterfinals:

Police XI 2-4 Rollers (First leg)

Rollers 0-1 Police XI (Second leg)

 

Semi finals:

Chiefs 1-3 Rollers (First leg)

Rollers 2-0 Chiefs (Second leg)

 

Club’s leading Top 8 scorer: Maano Ditshupo (4)

Number of goals scored: 9

Number of goals conceded: 4