23 Feb 2017

A mother of all battles is expected at the National Stadium on Sunday when two rival teams, Township Rollers and Orapa United meet in a Mascom Top 8 semi-final second leg.

In their first leg played in Francistown Stadium a fortnight ago, United thrashed Rollers 2-0 courtesy of Omatla Kebatho strike just 12 minutes after kick off, and Tendai Nuamasi who sealed Ostriches victory in the 56th minute.

However Sunday game will be a totally different encounter as  Rollers will be desperate to score an early goal to send a strong signal to the visitors that they must tread with care.

On the day, United just need to play their normal game and ensure that they concentrate and focus on the game, given that Terrence Madanza, Edwin Moalosi  Lemponye Tshireletso and Maano Ditshupo can be a nightmare to any team in Botswana.

For Rollers to proceed to the next round they will have to score three goals, without Orapa scoring, and it remains to be seen if the Ostriches who have since proved over time that they are a rejuvenated team since the arrival of coach Madinda Ndlovu, can disappoint their supporters and let Rollers steal the show from them.

However,Township Rollers coach Mogomotsi Mpote knows the importance of reversing the score line, and he is of the view that if Orapa can score two goals against Rollers nothing would stop his charges to go all out and avenge to their opponents, with a big score margin.

He said in an interview that they had prepared well for the second leg, adding that their intention was to score a quick early goal to destabilise United.

“I told my players that they should approach the game as if it was 0-0 and fight with everything, because our mission is to progress to the next leg without failure,” he said. He said all the players are in good condition, adding that their goalkeeper, Kabelo Dambe who has been nursing an injury was now back and he played well in their midweek league against Gilport Lions which they won 1-0.

Orapa United assistant coach Zachariah Mudzadzi was upbeat that they will finish off Rollers and proceed to the next leg.

He said despite their tight schedule given that they played a very physical game against Mbabane Swallows in the CAF Confederation Cup that would not deter them to claim a second victory against Rollers.

“We also played against Green Lovers midweek, a game which ended in a goalless draw, it will be very suicidal for Rollers to judge us with that score margin.

Mind you we had rested seven of our regular players, but on Sunday we will go all out,” he said.

Furthermore, Mudzadzi said pressure was on Rollers, adding that their game plan was to control the game and score an early goal to put the game beyond reach for their opponents. BOPA