15 Feb 2015

Botswana representatives in CAF, Township Rollers and BDF X1 lost the first legs of games played in South Africa and Tanzania respectively.

In the CAF Champions League encounter played at Soccer City Stadium in South Africa on February 14, Rollers lost 1-2 to Kaizer Chiefs.

Kaizer Chiefs were the first to draw blood in the opening minutes of the game through Matthew Rusike. Hardly two minutes after half time, Township Rollers’ wonder-boy, Segolame Boy made a classical finish to equalise for Popa.

However, on referee’s optional time, Tefu Mashamaite gave Chiefs a late winner after Chiefs were awarded a corner kick, which was well taken by Bernard Parker.

Chief’s coach, Stuart Baxter was quoted by Kick-off football magazine after the game saying, “you know what; this is not a bad team. We think that when teams come from Southern Africa they're gonna be Mickey Mouse, this is not a bad team".

He further said, “they're not a bad team and with no pressure at all, and enjoy playing at the FNB, and when you play that relaxed and when you play off the cuff with that amount of fighting spirit then you're a difficult opponent.

"After we gave them the goal, I was really worried that we'd get hit on another counter-attack because we do really have to force the game, so I'll take that goal with us to Botswana and we'll try to build on that there. "That's where both us and other South African teams, and the national team, when we play our good football we have to create and then score those chances".

Township Rollers coach, Madinda Ndlovu said the forced substitutions of Otlaantshekela Mooketsi and Jerome Louis cost his team dearly. He however said he was content with his players' performance.

The two sides will meet for the second leg on February 28 and for Rollers to proceed with the competition, they will have to beat Chiefs 1-0.

In the CAF Confederations cup game played in Tanzania, Young Africans beat BDF XI 2-0 courtesy of Amisisi Tambwe’s brace, and the two sides will meet for a second leg on February 27 at Lobatse Sports Complex. Ends