21 Sep 2014

Township Rollers’ marksman Jerome Louis ensured that his team continued their winning streak in the Premier League as they edged out Notwane 1-0 at the National Stadium Friday night (September 19).

Even with a single goal against one of its city rivals Notwane, Coach Madinda Ndlovu’s side is yet to lose a game this season, and the win ensured that Rollers collected maximum points to contend for the league title.

Louis nodded home the winner 28 minutes into the second half of the game.

However, Mochudi Centre Chiefs on Saturday afternoon (September 20) defeated BR Highlanders 4-1 which returned the Kgatleng giants to the summit on 15 points, just a point ahead of Rollers and BMC ( who were also victorious on Friday night, defeating Motlakase 4-0,) who now have 14 points.

Notwane offered a sterner test than many had anticipated as they set the early tone by controlling possession, knocking the ball around midfield with Lemogang Maswena, who has become more of a promising player, being the centre of its good work. 

In the process, Notwane’s Kereng Mpetang was the first one to have a chance at Rollers’ goal posts but he blew the shot over the crossbar. 

Minutes later, Maswena broke into the Rollers defence but his attempt at goal was thwarted saved by Michael Pepukani. 

Rollers felt the heat as they gave Notwane room to shoot from outside the box; on the other side, Notwane defended well and seemed to be in control. 

The first real chance for Rollers came from Segolame Boy’s shot inside the box but Itumeleng Selapa saved the ball for a corner. 

From a corner rebound Komabelo Kebaikanye struck a long range shot but the ball was saved again as Rollers were beginning to settle and show superiority. 

Five minutes before second half, Emmanuel Masisi could have capitalised on a killer pass from the midfield but Pepukani went out of his line to save the one-on-one encounter. 

In the dying minutes of the second half, Rollers won a set piece outside the box and Otlantshekela Mooketsi’s well taken shot was saved and Boy could have scored from the rebound but Notwane defender headed the ball away from danger. 

The two teams went for break still deadlocked. 

The second half saw both teams looking for an early goal to snatch the lead, and Rollers could have broken the deadlock early second half but Boy failed to capitalize on Louis’s pass by blowing the ball wide of the posts. 

Thirty minutes on Ndlovu made his first substitution of the day by bringing in Manqoba Ngwenya for Maano Ditshupo. On the 73rd minute, Louis broke the deadlock by finishing off a wonderful pass from substitute Ngwenya to record his fifth goal in the campaign thus far. 

The goal seemed to have hurt the visitors as they immediately searched for a quick equaliser by frequently breaking into Rollers defence, at one point forcing the ever alert Pepukani to comfortably keep out Masisi’s shot from inside the penalty area.

Notwane also made their changes by taking out Emmanuel Machinya for Pako Gaofos, but the subsititution came to nothing as Notwane had now lost their earlier hunger to reverse the score, while Mapalastina appeared more confident than ever. 

Rollers made their last change by bringing in the youthful Gofaone Tiro for Kobamelo Kebaikanye. Although Notwane still hoped for an equaliser in the dying minutes it was all lost when the referee blew the final whistle to ensure that Rollers claimed maximum points. 

The game was a fourth win in a row for the Gaborone West based side and also their fourth clean sheet. As for Notwane, the loss was the fifth in a row after only winning the first game against Gaborone United last month. ENDS