06 May 2018

On-form, Township Rollers attacking midfielder Lemponye Tshireletso timed his run perfectly to meet a defence splitting Joel Mogorosi pass to beat visiting Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) keeper Tom Ikapa on the 36th minute to finish off the highly charged CAF champions league Group A encounter.

The resounding victory propels The Blue Nation, as Rollers are fondly called by their hordes of supporters to a comfortable first position in the Group A standings.

African giants and undoubtedly Group A favorites Al Ahly of Egypt and Esperance of Tunisia played to a goalless draw in Alexandria allowing Rollers a perfect start to a seemingly possible journey to the quarter final stages.

From their remaining five games, two in Gaborone and three away, another seven points could make the dream come true.

The top two teams in each of the four groups will book a spot in the quarter finals.

When the last 16 CAF champions league draw was conducted at the Ritz Carlton in Cairo Rollers attracted much attention globally firstly because of their surprise and historic advancement to the group stages and lastly because they were drawn against record eight times champions Al Ahly and two times title holders Esperance.

They were later joined by Uganda premier league champions KCCA who became the first Ugandan club to ever advance to the group stages of the competition.

KCCA visited Rollers to kick start their campaign and they were hosted before a good crowd at the national stadium on Friday evening (May 4) in a game that kicked off at 9pm.

KCCA fought hard in the second half playing good passing football but indecisiveness and lack of composure in the final third disappointed.

They looked sharp in the dying minutes but a couple of reflex saves from Keagile Kgosipula denied the visitors to grab a point.

Rollers created their chances as well and the biggest chances fell to Mogorosi who was wasteful in front of goal.

Tshireletso also watched in disbelief as his well struck left footed shot struck the upright denying him to grab a brace.

The likes of Jackson Nunda, Filbert Obenchan and Mustapha Kizza turned out brilliantly for KCCA and need to be watched going forward.

Rollers featured former KCCA and Uganda Cranes midfielder Ivan Ntenge against his homeboys.

Rollers next assignment is an away tie against Esperance on May 15 at the Stade Olympique Rades in Tunis. ENDS