LOBATSE: Township Rollers’ head coach, Abdelaziz Karkache, has revealed that there is pressure from the club’s fan base to win this season's FNB Premiership trophy.
Rollers have not tasted silverware in five seasons now. Karkache has been tasked with ending the trophy drought. Over the weekend, they ascended to the summit of the league table after beating Extension Gunners 3-1 at the Lobatse Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon. Karkache said this period does not allow for many changes in the team and he hopes that he keeps a clean health bill as his side challenges for the league. With only a point between them and second placed TAFIC, he cited defending champions, Jwaneng Galaxy, among the threats and added that his side will need to manage the pressure and injuries in their bid for a 17th league title. “Yes, now we are first, the pressure is here and it is present because it is Rollers. We can just manage (it) psychologically for the players. As a coach we must resolve the tactical issues and physicality (player fitness). But it is impossible because I do not have time. I have been here for only two months,” said Karkache.
His troops, however, proved to have all the time on Saturday as they waited until the 33rd minute to take the lead against Gunners. Following a series of attempts since the first whistle, Mogakolodi Ngele found space in front of the box and with the help of a deflection, he slotted into the bottom corner catching the goalkeeper wrong footed. Gunners thought they have found the equaliser when Sphamandla Sabelo capitilised from miscommunication in the Rollers defense, laid a pass to Kgotso Phuti whose goal was ruled for an offside leaving the home fans livid on the 38th minute. Two minutes later, Letsile Montsho for Gunners had his shot blocked. But shortly after, Popa doubled their lead, with Segolame Boy outsmarting two defenders and put a curler to the top corner to make it 2-0 with a goal that deserves to be part of the end of the season highlights. With 2-0 lead at the break, Rollers would feel they are home and dry. However, on the 60th minute mark Gunners pulled one back when Ogomoditse Sitang tapped in from close range to make it 2-1. Rollers put the final nail on the coffin when Lehlohonolo Fothoane was denied by the on rushing goalkeeper but Lefa Leballo was on the right place to pick up the spoils and scored his first in Rollers colours. Gunners’ coach, Proper Monnawanoka, said he needed to watch the replays as he felt his side was hard done by the offside call in the first half.
The teams:
Gunners: Bophelo Kealeboga, Mpho Kgaswane, Thabiso Gaogangwe, Onkarabile Bogatsu, Mbase Ngakaetsile, Ofentse Nato (Thuso Keraetswe), Letsile Montsho (Ogomoditse Sitang) Ronny Legaetse, Sphamandla Sabelo, Kgotso Phuti, Kesekile Chivese Rollers: Kabelo Maphakela, Lemogang Maswena, Motsholetsi Sikele (Onkarabile Ratanang), Simisane Mathumo, Simon Bapaletswe (Botshelo Mangena), Mosha Gaolaolwe, Mothusi Cooper, Segolame Boy (Omphile Vissagie), Mogakolodi Ngele (Lehlohonolo Fothoane), Godfrey Tauyatswala, Thatayaone Ramatlapeng (Lefa Leballo)
Cautions: Nato, Sikele, Cooper
Gunners 1 (Sitang 60th) Rollers 3 (Ngele 33rd , Boy 45+2, Leballo 90+3)
