14 Sep 2014

In possibly one of the most thrilling beMOBILE Premier League games of the weekend saw Township Rollers beat arch rivals Mochudi Centre Chiefs 1-0 at the National Stadium on Saturday night (September 13). 

The win for the Gaborone giants broke Magosi’s unbeaten streak this season and closed down the gap to one point at the top. 

The win did not change anything at the top as Magosi are still lying on the number one spot with 12 points while Rollers come second with 11 points. 

In a game that was full of chances and most of them not utilised, Rollers were the first to get a chance at goal through Segolame Boy’s freekick which hit the cross bar and went back into play. 

After a number of follow ups, Mapalastina got a clear chance three minutes into the game and Jerome Louis wasted no chance and put the ball beyond Magosi goalkeeper Rafael Nthwane. 

Conceding early against a rival like Rollers gave Chiefs more reason to find a quick equaliser and balance the cards.

They won a corner and freekick one after the other but failed to capitalise as frustration set in. 

Rollers on the other side gained confidence after securing a goal and they were looking so comfortable on the ball. 

Chiefs attempted to play long crosses to Mara Moloi upfront but Simisani Mathumo and Obuile Ncenga could not let that happen. 

Mara finally got a chance in the Rolllers area but his shot was deflected for a corner. Magosi were furious and working so hard to get an equaliser. 

They started winning more possession and building play from the back. 

Magosi full back Ontse Ntesa overlapped in order to help in the attack upfront. Few minutes before interval Chiefs were awarded a penalty but Rollers goalkeeper Mwampule Masule was the hero as he denied Tendai Nyamusi a chance to equalise by saving it. 

In the 45^th minute, Magosi had a breakthrough and Pontsho Moloi dribbled past the keeper on the left side and forwarded a pass to Mara who instead of putting the ball into the empty net shot wide. The game went to the break with Rollers still hanging to the 1-0 lead. 

Everything changed in the second half and Magosi were bringing play to their opponents hunting for an equaliser. 

Rollers were a bit defensive and not attacking like they did in the previous half. 

Pontsho tormented Otlantshekela Mooketsi on the left side and among his breakthroughs he passed the ball across the Rollers box but no one was there to finish off the movement.

Chiefs head coach Mike Sithole made a substitution by taking out Senatla Molefhe for Bonolo Fraizer. 

Magosi then committed a lot of fouls as a mark of desperation. 

Rollers also made their change by bringing in Gofaone Tiro for Motsholetsi Sikele. 

Approaching the dying minutes of the game, Louis almost completed his brace but his header from Maano Ditshupo’s cross hit the crossbar and was cleared out. 

In injury time, Rollers had a number of chances to increase the lead but they could not convert and the game ended with a solitary goal to nil. 

In a post- match interview, Chiefs head coach Sithole said the game was tough but the players did well. 

“To win the league is a marathon not a one month game so the most important thing is that we are still at the top,” he said. 

As a result, he said they would work on the mental part of players because they had been losing to Rollers in recent times, adding “Rollers are becoming a thorn in the foot for our players.”

On the other hand, Rollers head coach Madinda Ndlovu described the match as a game of emotions and full of tension but was happy that a win came their way.

He said they stopped Chiefs’ unbeaten run last season and they did it again this season and were now looking forward to the upcoming games. 

In other games played during the weekend, BR Highlanders lost 1-2 to Police XI at Serowe on Friday, September 12. 

On Saturday, Extension Gunners beat Notwane 1-0 at Lobatse while ECCO City Greens’ woes continued when they lost 0-1 to Orapa United and remained at the bottom of the log. Letlapeng also lost 1-3 at home at the hands of FC Satmos while Nico United were beaten 0-1 by Motlakase at Selebi-Phikwe stadium. ENDS