the monitor

Morapedi demands character as Rollers move atop

AT THE SUMMIT: Township Rollers dethroned TAFIC for the top spot in the FNB Premiership table PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO
AT THE SUMMIT: Township Rollers dethroned TAFIC for the top spot in the FNB Premiership table PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

TLOKWENG: The FNB Premiership has a new leader after Township Rollers dethroned TAFIC from the summit of the log. Popa beat VTM FC 2-1 in the FNB Premiership match played at the Royal Aria Stadium on Saturday afternoon, to move to the top of the standings.

This is all thanks to the 1-1 draw results between TAFIC and champions, Jwaneng Galaxy. Rollers have for the first time this campaign, moved to the top of the standings with 13 rounds of the league games to be played. The team that is looking to end their five-year winless streak is hoping to make the position their own until the end of the campaign, says assistant coach, Innocent Morapedi.

He said he is aware of the burden of being chased as well as the expectations from the fan base of the most successful club in the country. “We wish we would stay but up there alone is cold, you are a target for everybody and everybody plans to beat you. But we will see what character we have,” said Morapedi after the weekend’s win. He is also of the view that his side should take more of their chances to enhance their championship hopes. Morapedi said the team was lucky to walk away with maximum points on Saturday after wasting a number of chances and allowed VTM back into the game. It was a blistering start for the home team as Thatayaone Ramatlapeng played a pass to Segolame Boy on the wing. The attacker cut in and made space to put a curler to the top corner as Rollers took the lead on the 14th minute.

From outside the box, Ronald Moipolai forced a corner from Kabelo Maphakela. The goalkeeper was called into action by another long range shot, this time from Thembelani Majingo and he parried it away for a corner on the 28th minute. Rollers doubled the lead with five minutes to time as Godfrey Tauyatswala headed in Segolame Boy’s cross. The home side took a 2-0 lead in to the break. Just five minutes in to the second half, VTM were awarded a penalty after Simon Bapaletswe brought down Majingo inside the area. Senatla Molefhe splendidly sent the goalkeeper to the wrong from the spot to make it 2-1. The goal sparked some fire into VTM as they looked the better of the two teams for the majority of the second half but could not break the Rollers’ defence, with the home side bagging the maximum points on the day.

The teams: Rollers: Kabelo Maphakela, Lemogang Maswena, Simisane Mathumo, Simon Bapaletswe, Kago Monyake, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Marcel Papama (Mogakolodi Ngele), Segolame Boy (Lefa Leballo), Omphile Vissagie (Mothusi Cooper), Thatayaone Ramatlapeng (Phillip Kaku), Godfrey Tauyatswala (Mbatshi Elias) VTM: Lesang Senne, Kabelo Thari (Katlo Kgati), Keabetswe Lucas, Letsweletse Leririma, Tumisang Mokopi, Thato Mogorosi (Thabang Watlala), Ronald Moipolai, Senatla Molefhe (Kesaobaka Ramotshwaedi), Thembelani Majingo, Anorld Lekwape, Bonhuer Kalonji (Wilfred Dithwane)

Rollers 2 (Boy 14th, Tauyatswala 40th) VTM 1 (Molefh 50th)

Editor's Comment
UDC's 100 Days: Please deliver your promises!

We duly congratulate them to have ousted the long ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from power. Prior to taking power from the BDP, the coalition had made several election promises that are credited for influencing change and swaying the people to vote in its favour.The party had made an undertaking, which its leader and President Duma Boko consistently bellowed in his campaign trail. These undertakings were promises that Batswana would be...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up