01 Feb 2015

Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ supporters had the last laugh Saturday (January 31) after their team’s 1-0 victory over arch rivals, Township Rollers, at the National Stadium.

Magosi supporters invaded the pitch at the end of the game to congratulate their players for the victory. At the stands, the men and women from Mochudi sang their usual “dikoma” to convey delight and gratitude to the players who silenced Popa with Lemponye Tshireletso’s first half solitary strike.

Magosi’s away win was sweet revenge after they lost home last year. The wild celebrations had long been coming after the team failed to register a win against Popa last season. The win put Magosi level with Rollers with a goal difference separating the two teams. Thus, Magosi remained in second spot with 40 points.

The game started on a low note with both teams giving each other much respect. A minute after kick-off, it was Magosi who had a chance to open the scoring after Tendai Nyamusi placed the ball in the box but Rollers defence cleared the lines to prevent an early goal.

They soon won a free kick, which did not bear fruit as the ball went over the bar. A little later, Rollers won a freekick and Segolame Boy delivered a good cross into the box only to be cleared off the goal line from Sekhana Koko’s attempt.

The players got agitated and committed foul after foul but the resulting set pieces went begging. Rollers then came close to taking the lead after a counter attack but Boy’s ball over the goalkeeper was headed away.

Soon after, Boy broke through again but this time around the goalkeeper came off the line to clear. Rollers were all over Magosi looking for a lead and in the 20th minute, captain Koko cut into the box from the left side but his goal attempt only went wide.

Newly signed Rollers defender, Tshepo 'Talk Talk' Motlhabankwe who was playing on the left, delivered long balls to Jerome JJ Ramatlhakwana who failed to utilise them. JJ was later booked for simulation after going down in the box.

Just 10 minutes before end of the first half, Magosi broke the deadlock through Lemponye Tshireletso’s nicely placed shot, thanks to captain Pontsho Moloi’s unselfish play. In the dying minutes of the first half, Rollers could have gone to the break level but Motsholetsi Sikele failed to capitalise on Koko’s pass from the left side as he shot wide.

The game went for recess with Chiefs leading. After break, Rollers came back determined to force an early equaliser with a series of attacks. As the game gained momentum, Moloi headed Tshireletso’s cross into the back of the net but the assistant referee ruled it offside.

Then Rollers won a corner and Talk Talk nearly scored against his former team when his header hit the cross bar. On the hour mark, the game was still in favour of the visiting Magosi.

Ten minutes later, Tshireletso almost registered his second of the day but Mwampule Masule denied him with a wonderful save. In the dying minutes of the game, Mapalastina pushed forward but it was already too little too late as the long crosses into the box were not utilised.

This was Rollers’ second defeat of the season and were without head coach Madinda Ndlovu.

Rollers captain, Koko, said they played well in the second half but it was a pity that they did not use their chances. “We have good squad and we are still in title contention,” he said.

Rollers assistant coach, Teenage Mpote, also added that he had no problem losing against Magosi but was concerned that they could have used at least one out of the many chances they created.

Centre Chiefs head coach, Mike Sithole, said they deserved the win because they played like a team. “We needed the three points because we knew that a win for Rollers would widen a six-point gap and now we are level with them,” Sithole said. He said his team was now in title contention even though they still had a long way to go. ENDS