08 Jul 2018

Saturday night saw domestic champions Township Rollers edge out South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) counterparts Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in a pre-season friendly played at the National Stadium.

A 37^th minute goal by Joel Mogorosi separated the two sides who ended their previous season having won the national league of their respective countries, and returned early to pre-season in preparation for CAF Champions’ League group stage assignments.

Popa are due to face Egyptian giants Al Ahly at home and away later this month.

Sundowns, the 2016 African club champions from Tshwane a Mamelodi, the South African capital Pretoria, were restricted to few chances on the night by a well organised Rollers side.

Missing key playing personnel - Edwin Moalosi, Segolame Boy and Lemponye Tshireletso- Rollers still played well, with Gape Mohutsiwa, Oscar Ncenga and Ivan Ntege the standout performers.

Sundowns also experimented by giving a run to a few of their new acquisitions, blending them with previously known regulars.

Although a Tebogo Langerman long range effort that went wide off the Popa goal presented ‘Masandawana’ with the first real effort of the night, Rollers were dictating terms from early on.Struggling to get balls into the opposing danger zone, the Blues still patiently worked the ball from the back through the middle and the wings, particularly on the right flank where Ntege overlapped to much effect, though the final ball into the attacking third remained a challenge.

Rollers transition play after the Popa wall blocked a Themba Zwane free kick in the 34^th minute gave the hosts a glittering chance at a goal on the counter attack.  But in approaching the opposing 18 yard box, Mogorosi over hit his pass to Motsholetsi Sikele who was stretched and could only return a tame pass to Mogorosi who then had his half attempt saved by Kennedy Mweene.

Three minutes later a Rollers ball floated into the Sundowns danger zone found Mogorosi who scored from close range to open the Blues account on the night.Rollers kept their one goal advantage at the break, and having played dominant possession football in the first half, were cagey in the second, keeping a defensive shape to deny Sundowns attacking space.

The crafty Ali Meza had often proved a handful with his silky skills for the Brazilians and Oupa Manyisa had now been given a run, assisting to dictate midfield terms for the visitors.

But Mweene remained the busier of the two goalkeepers; Ncenga and substitute Mothusi ‘Mini’ Cooper testing the Sundowns goalminder.

New signings Cooper, Thatayaone ‘TT’ Ditlhokwe- who started the match at left back- and striker Tumisang Orebonye, who came in late in the second half were all given a run by Rollers.Rollers trialists, Zimbabwean Gabriel Nyoni and South African Kamogelo Motsabu were also fielded as second half substitutes.

The game ended 1-0, and the Blues’ win over a side which recently hosted Spanish super club FC Barcelona will give ‘Popa’ confidence ahead of the Al Ahly test. ENDS