27 Feb 2018

A Rashid Mandawa hat-trick gave BDF XI a resounding 3-1 win over Township Rollers in a BTC Premiership match played at the UB Stadium on February 26, at night.

Tanzanian forward, Mandawa, who trained with Rollers when he first came to Botswana and played a pre-season friendly for the Blues against South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs before signing for BDF, was exceptional on the night.

His clinical finishing provided the end product of a disciplined display by Matebele.

The Mogoditshane side advanced into attacking channels with military precision.

Rollers coach, Nikola Kavazovic rested the entire team that had played last Wednesday in Sudan, handing debuts to Bogosi Nfila and second half substitute, national under 20 youngster Tiroyaone Maome.

With Popa having just emerged from the two-legged CAF champions league match against Al-Merreikh of Sudan, Kavazovic seemed to have his mind set on banking key players for the Mascom Top 8 final against Orapa

United over the weekend in Francistown, and the subsequent trip to Tanzania for next Tuesday’s CAF assignment.

Full credit should go to BDF X1 who took the match to Rollers from early on. Popa goalkeeper, Wagarre ‘Waxy’ Dikago was forced into making saves as early as the fifth minute with Richard Legwaila and Mandawa firing warning shots for Matebele.

In the 20th minute, Dikago came out of his goal line but could not collect a high corner kick floated in from the right wing, and Mandawa gleefully converted from close range to make it 1-0 to BDF.

Matebele kept up their high tempo approach of quickly playing balls into forward areas of the pitch.

On the half hour mark, Galabgwe Moyana had Rollers first shot on goal with a tame long-range free kick which was easily dealt with by Tumiso Mashakola in the BDF goal.

Three minutes later, Moyana played in another set piece into the BDF danger zone, and this time Kaone Vanderwesthuizen was on hand to convert from close range to get Rollers’ the equaliser.

Youngster, Boyo Lechaena looked enterprising for a Rollers side that passed the ball well in midfield without sufficient movement in the final third.

Mandawa would soon lay his predatory skills bare for all to see. A well worked BDF move was rounded off by Mandawa with a wonderfully executed low shot from the edge of the box to make it 2-1 to Matebele in the 39th minute.

On the stroke of half time, Mandawa, whose movement was a handful for the Rollers central defensive pairing of Vanderwesthuizen and Percy More, struck another low shot to the far post of Dikago’s goal to make it 3-1 in favour of BDF X1 in the 45th minute.

Rollers had the better of the second half exchanges.

The work rate of Ugandan international, Ivan Ntege was impressive in midfield, with substitute youngsters Kago Monyake and debutant Maome also looking lively in carrying the ball forward for Popa.

But BDF X1 stayed compact with Emmanuel Nlu and captain, Pelontle Lerole marshaling the defence well.

An uncharacteristic Nlu misplaced pass was intercepted by Ntege, whose shot went narrowly wide, while Nfila also came close for Rollers with a powerful shot that was parried away by Mashakola. BDF X1 held on to emerge deserving winners.

Having defeated the top two sides, Rollers and Jwaneng Galaxy, by the same 3-1 margin over their past two matches, Matebele consolidated their sixth position on the log with 29 points.

Rollers stays on top with 43 points from 19 matches, six ahead of second placed Galaxy who have a game in hand, and are salivating at the prospect of a title run with more than 10 games to play for the title contenders. Ends