When Township Rollers romped to their first league title in five years last season, few gave them a chance of retaining it given the recent record of defending champions in the competition. Since Mogoditshane Fighters achieved the feat a decade ago, successive clubs have tried unsuccessfully to emulate them in vain. Rollers was among the clubs that previously tried to defend the title and fell flat. That is why they were not given much chance this season. To make matters worse, they did not look promising at the start of the campaign.
There were reports of unrest in their camp as they set about to achieve the daunting task of retaining the title.Players were said to be unhappy about the issue of bonuses while top marksman, Terrence Mandaza, who had banged a record 30 goals left for South African Premiership outfit, Platinum Stars. The club lost its best defender, Itayi Gwandu and title-winning coach, Rahman Gumbo to rivals, Mochudi Centre Chiefs. Their most exciting winger, Edwin Moalosi, moved to the US for studies. With these developments, supporters started pressing panic buttons and the thought of waiting for another five seasons or so before they could get silverware resurfaced.
