29 Nov 2016

Goals from Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, Remmington Masuku and Dirang Moloi earned Mochudi Centre Chiefs a morale boosting 3-2 win over blood rivals Township Rollers in an enthralling BTC Premiership contest played at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Centre Chiefs aka Magosi were the better team and were full value for their win, only their second of the 2016-17 season which they hope would ignite a good run of form.

Rollers were the first to show attacking intent. Joel Mogorosi and Segolame Boy came close within the first five minutes, but from the eighth minute when Ramatlapeng opened his side’s account, Magosi became the dominant side.

It was a wonder strike, Ramatlapeng breaking through, with Kabelo Dambe’s goal in sight, the Centre Chiefs winger unleashed a scorching shot that made it 1-0.

Rollers deployed a 3-4-3 system, which they had used to clinical effect against Police XI in the Mascom Top 8 quarter-final second leg 2-0 win, in the 5-1 league win over Green Lovers as well as the 1-1 league draw against Security Systems.

However, on the day, the Blues three-man defence was exposed early on, Chiefs attacking them with pace, seeking gaps in the wide areas. Ramatlapeng and Masuku were particularly dangerous for the Kgatleng giants.

Rollers played a good passing game at times, but were sluggish in the final third of the pitch, rarely threatening Noah Maposa, although the Chiefs goal minder was clearly struggling with an injury.

In the 27th minute, Rollers’ Edwin Moalosi was rightly booked for a rash tackle, but eight minutes later, his second yellow card seemed harsh.

In the 35th minute, Moalosi went down in the penalty box under the impact of a rash challenge from Chiefs defender Charles Mutero and as Rollers appealed for a penalty, the referee instead booked Moalosi for simulation, his second yellow warranting a dismissal.

Thata was a major turning point, although to be fair to Chiefs they were already the dominant team even before Rollers went a man down.

Maposa made a great save to deny Boy, whose close range header off a Lemponye Tshireletso cross was met by a one handed save from the Chiefs goalkeeper.

Masuku made it 2-0 to Chiefs just before the break.

In the second half, Rollers head coach Mark Harrison jettisoned the 3-4-3 system for 4-3-2, a man down, the Blues mentor added numbers to his defence, introducing Kaone Van der Westhuizen for

Tshireletso and Maano Ditshupo for Ntesang ‘Mirror’ Simanyana.

Lawrence Majawa gave Rollers hope with a goal in the 53rd minute, but 11 minutes later, Dirang Moloi made it 3-1 to Magosi with a tap in from close range. Chiefs’ Ayanda Molefe who came in for Masuku in the 60th minute missed a glorious chance to add gloss to his side’s win, blasting his shot over the bar when a simple tap in looked feasible.

In injury time, Mogogi Gabonamong made it 3-2, and Rollers thereafter pressed on for an equaliser, but that was a little too late. Thus, Magosi faithful celebrated their first victory over Rollers since a 1-0 win on February 2, 2015 en route to winning the 2014-15 league title.

Since then, Chiefs have lost to Rollers in the pre-season Kabelano Charity Cup final, in the first round of the 2015-16 league season, twice in both legs of last season’s Mascom Top 8 semi-final and in the 2015-16 title deciding play-off.

The only respite for Chiefs in the period was a 1-1 draw in the second round of last season.

The win eases pressure on Chiefs coach Bongani Mafu, whose side was impressive on the day.

Rollers would need to work on their defensive shape. The Blues conceded just 14 league goals the whole of last season, and never conceded three goals in one game apart from the Mascom Top 8’s 3-1 extra time loss to Orapa United.

They have already conceded 10 goals this season from eight league games hence the need to restore their defensive strength. ENDS