Township Rollers returned to winning ways on Saturday, beating BDF XI 2-1 in a highly competitive Mascom Top 8 semi final clash at SSKB Stadium.
It was Rollers’ second victory in seven games played this year. They lost five of those matches, four consecutively.
Both teams went into the game under immense pressure after losing their midweek games. BDF XI being the defending champions and having already beaten Rollers recently, went to the game as the favourites. And they were the better team early on the game, creating several chances. As early as the second minute, Vincent Nzombe was given space on the edge of the box and took a shot. Rollers were saved by the upright.
With Dirang Moloi not in his element on the day, BDF XI dominated the midfield. Rollers gave away too much possession and lived dangerously early on in the game, but BDF XI failed to convert those chances into goals. Rollers finally created a chance in the 24th minute and punished BDF XI. Segolame Boy caused havoc for the army side’s defence on the right and set up Jerome Ramatlhakwana who made no mistake. The game was evenly balanced until the two sides went into the half time break. BDF XI equalised in the 57th minute through Bonolo Phuduhudu who capitalised on Rollers’ failure to make a decisive clearance at the back. Ramatlhakwana had another chance to put Rollers in front again moments later, but his effort was well saved by BDF XI goalkeeper, Takudzwa Ndoro. In the 70th minute, Boy connected a long throw in by Oscar Ncenga and put Rollers in the lead once again. Substitute, Lesego Lubinda nearly put BDF XI on level terms again, but his shot hit the cross bar. Rollers will now go into the second leg in three weeks time with vital two away goals.
The Line-ups:
BDF XI: Ndoro, Pelontle Lerole, Othusitse Mpharitlhe, Moreetsi Mosimanyana, Mompati Thuma, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Master Masitara, Phuduhudu (Ofentse Mmipi), Nzombe, Thato Ogopotse (Lubinda), Kabelo Seakanyeng
Rollers: Noah Maposa, Obonye Moswate, Ncenga, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Lawrence Majawa, Moloi (Maano Ditshupo), Boy, Ramatlhakwana (Manqoba Ngwenya), Simisane Mathumo, Kobamelo Kebaikanye, Jerome Louis (Sekhana Koko)
Referee: Joshua Bondo
Cautions: Maposa, Gaolaolwe, Majawa
BDF XI 1 (Phuduhudu 57th)
Rollers 2 (Ramatlhakwana 24th, Boy 70th)
