29 Aug 2018

A rather lackluster 0-0 draw in a CAF Champions League match between Township Rollers and Esperance drew curtains on the participation of the continental showpiece by the local champions on August 28 night at the National Stadium.

Popa had shown much promise earlier in the campaign, which included victories in the earlier rounds over 2015 Champions League semi-finalists Al-Merreikh of Sudan and Young Africans of Tanzania before commencing their group stage participation with victory over KCCA of Uganda.

However, after four losses on the trot to Esperance away, Al Ahly both home and away, then a defeat in the return leg away to KCCA, the Blues needed to redeem their pride.  

Although Rollers could draw credit for matching their much vaunted North African opponents, in reality both sides looked sluggish.

With Mosha Gaolaolwe, who has recently been deployed in a midfield role now back in his central defensive pairing with Simisani Mathumo, the experienced Tshepo Motlhabankwe at left back and Ivan Ntege in the right full back position, Rollers seemed in a much better defensive shape than in recent matches.

However, while the Blues midfield duo of Maano Ditshupo and Gape Mohutsiwa matched Mohamed Amine Meskini and Saad Beguir of Esperance toe to toe, there was much lacking in the creative areas of the field.

Rollers were found wanting and the ball was not played into the attacking channels.

The small crowd had to endure the drab draw, a chess match which garnered as much enthusiasm as staring at a wall to watch the paint dry. 

In the seventh minute, Lemponye Tshireletso, the star of the Blues’ earlier success in the competition, made his way into the Esperance penalty box but had his effort blocked by the Tunisian rearguard.

Thereafter, there was very little goalmouth action, and after a cagey first half, the two sides emerged from the break to increase their tempo slightly.

Rollers goalkeeper Wagarre ‘Waxy’ Dikago had to be alert to thwart an Esperance side that started floating balls into the Blues penalty box.

Much later, Gaolaolwe showed great defensive instincts in blocking an Esperance attack with Dikago quickly following up to clear his lines.

Just before the end, Dikago showed good reflexes in saving from a towering Aymed Mahmoud header.  

The match ended goalless which means Al Ahly of Egypt qualify from Group A as log leaders with 13 points followed by second placed Esperance who have 11.  

KCCA, who lost 4-3 to Ahly away in Egypt on the night, finish third with six points while Rollers end fourth with four points.

Meanwhile, this year’s CAF Champions League quarter-finals will feature Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance (Tunisia), Étoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia), TP Mazembe (Democratic Republic of the Congo/DRC), ES Setif (Algeria), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Horoya Athlétique Club (Guinea- Conakry), Primeiro de Agosto (Angola). ENDS