23 Aug 2018

Two goals apiece from Joel Mogorosi and debutant Tumisang Orebonye were enough to set the wheels in motion for Township Rollers as they put Black Forest to the sword by 4-1 in their 2017/18 league opener at Molepolole Sports Complex on August 22.

Both sides came into the encounter hoping to get off to a flyer with maximum points at stake perhaps for Rollers the eagerness to redeem their pride after crashing out of the CAF group stages over the weekend.

For the Mmankgodi-based side, it was a given causing an upset was possibly their envisioned script at full time, a tale they never lived to tell after the game.

With Rollers’ gaffer still out on family commitments leaving Thabo Motang and Leutlwetse Tshireletso in charge as caretakers, the duo made changes to the team that played the CAF assignment on August 18.

Also making his debut for the club Thatayaone Ditlhokwe was partnered with Simisani Mathumo, the young enterprising Kago Monyake once again found himself getting the nod ahead of Galagbwe Moyana who for most of the time last season was used a left back.  

Mosha Gaolaolwe was deployed further much up the field alongside the captain of the ship Maano Ditshupo.

Upfront Boyo Lechaena and Tshireletso were the only significant changes in the starting lineup.

Black Forest nearly drew first blood in the opening seconds of the game left the chance gone begging as Thobo Gaboduelwe failed to hit the target from a cross that caught Rollers defence in sixes and sevens.

Five minutes later, Black Forest were left to rue the missed opportunity as Joel Mogorosi profited from a misjudgment of a long ball by  Black Forest defence, the former Bloemfontein Celtic made no mistake as he dinked his shot over the oncoming keeper to give Rollers an early lead.

Rollers were nearly two up in the 15th minute after and adventurous run by right back Ntenge who laid across low range cross to set up Boyo Lechaena on the right hand side, however Lechaena shot was parried back into play by the goalkeeper to keep Forest very much alive for contention.

Rollers continued dictating terms but on a few occasion their midfield looked stretched by Koketso Majafi who bossed Mosha Gaolaolwe in the middle of the park.

On the brink of half time Rollers again squandered an opportunity to double their lead after a fluid interchange of passes between Lemponye Tshireletso and Segolame Boy, with the Black Forest still in shambles Tshireletso’s dinked effort just sailed over the bar.

From the half time break Forest’s pep talk break proved fruitful as they stunned Rollers 10 seconds from kick off with an equalizer from open play after a combination play from Maikano Maikano and Donald Botshoma who capped the off with an exquisite shot that brushed the inside of Wagarre Dikago’s right post and nestling into the net.

Rollers then made immediate changes as they brought in Orebonye for Gaolaolwe, a switch that had an offensive approach written all over.

It did not take long for Rollers to get back on the driving seat as Mogorosi aerial prowess proved lethal through a glancing header thanks to a telling corner kick by Boy.

Chasing the game, Forest made changes as they introduced Jobe Letsweletse, while Rollers on the other side substituted Tshireletso for Gape Mohutsiwa.

Mogorosi was almost sitting on a hatrick after another glancing header but his celebrations were short-lived as the goal was judged to be offside.

Orebonye’s cameo was soon recognised as he scored his first goal for the club after an industrious play from Boyo Lechaena who gave a man of the match performance on the night.

With only few minutes to play, Orebonye doubled his tally as he outmuscled Black Forest’s Basiamisi Sebapalo and lifting his shot over the keeper to end the game at 4-1.

Giving post match interview Motang explained that he was impressed with performance of the entire team especially after a disappointing outing in the CAF Champions League.

Black Forest coach, Bakanuki Maseko blamed the loss on the inexperience of his squad but was quick to applaud the effort as he believes this is only a learning curve for some of the players. ENDS