20 Aug 2015

Township Rollers will on Friday August 21 welcome Jwaneng Galaxy under floodlights at the Molepolole Sports Complex.

The two teams come into the match with contrasting performances from their previous games.

Even though Rollers have won their first two games of the beMOBILE Premiership, they laboured to scrap a win in their last game away to Nico United in Selebi Phikwe, only managing a scrappy 1-0 through a Jerome Ramatlhakwane strike.

On the other hand, Galaxy had a field day against fellow debutants, Green Lovers of Serowe, pumping in five goals to send the visitors back home with tails between their legs. 

Even though many expect Rollers to walk over the lads from the diamond mining town, their convincing win against Lovers will act as a morale booster for them.

The game will also be made more interesting by the fact that Galaxy has a number of former Rollers players who will want to prove a point against their former team.

Some of the players are experienced former national team midfielder, Boitumelo “Navara” Mafoko, Mmusa Ohilwe, Thebe Maiketso and on-form striker, Tebogo Sembowa.

Sembowa was the toast of the day when Galaxy punished Lovers, hitting a double brace, a feat that no other striker has achieved this season. Galaxy has been impressive upfront, managing an average of three goals per game, but they should be concerned about their defence having let in four goals in two games.

This could be a concern especially against a team of Rollers experience, who despite having managed five goals, have a tight defence that has so far let in only a single goal in their first game against BDF XI.

Despite all these, Galaxy assistant coach, Philani Mabhena fancies their chances against their more fancied opponents.

“At this initial stage of the premiership there are always issues of fitness, but we have been working on the boys and so far I am happy with the progress we have made. It is going to be an open game, and I think both teams have an equal chance at victory,” he said.

The former Sankoyo Bush Bucks coach said he does not expect his players to suffer any stage fright against Rollers. “We have been working on preparing the boys for this stage of the competition and they are mentally ready. Some of them like Mafoko, Sembowa and Ohilwe have played at bigger stages,” he said.

Mabhena said they will treat Rollers with the respect they deserve, but not fear.

 He said all his players are fit except for the no-nonsense defender, Moreetsi “Resco” Mosimanyana who was expected to undergo a late fitness test yesterday.

Rollers officials could not be reached for comment. The game will kick off at 7pm. Ends