07 Oct 2018

Township Rollers burly striker, Tumisang Orebonye, handed his team its fourth consecutive win when he scored the only goal against Extension Gunners in a BTC Premiership match in Lobatse on Saturday.

The victory kept Popa top of the log on 19 points after six wins and a single draw. 

It was the visiting side who broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Orebonye sneaked behind the defensive line, beat an offside trap and slotted past Gunners keeper, Katlego Mbise.

Rollers continued to dominate and carve out chance after chance but were unlucky not to have increased the tally past the half hour mark. 

Gunners became porous in the middle of the park allowing their former playmaker Mothusi Cooper, who was plucked from Peleng by the Gaborone giants, win every battle in the process.

At one point, Joel Mogorosi rose above his marker and looped a glancing header into the net but his effort was chalked offside.

Gunners were lucky to see the closing of the first half approaching without any further damage.

Rollers started the second half looking for a goal to seal victory. They were met with strong opposition by Gunners who introduced more attack minded players to look for a goal. 

Gunners coach, Enos Mmesi, brought  in Kabelano Mooketsane and Alfred Leku to replace Ofentse Mmipi and Botshelo Mafoko.  Leku was impressive upfront combining well with the solitary striker Kenanao Kgetholetsile and gave Rollers right back Jackson Lesole no chance of overlapping upfront. 

Gunners’ tricky winger, Brian Mankanku, also came in to try and crack Rollers at the back. Makanku and his teammates were doing all the pressing while Rollers sat back and held out in numbers at the back. 

Rollers gaffer, Nikola Karvazovic, sensed danger and made a quick tactical change bringing in Ivan Ntenge for Kago Monyake. 

In a post-match interview, Karvazovic, said his charges displayed a high level of tactical discipline and also defended well.

Mmesi was worried about the loss but shouldered all the responsibility. 

He rued a poor tactical judgement of starting with a lone striker while they could have unlocked Rollers with the approach he implored in the second half.  Mmesi thought their second half approach could have gifted them at least a draw.  

In other league games played on Saturday Prisons XI suffered their second consecutive defeat after falling 0-1 to BR Highlanders. 

Black Forest ran riot over Sankoyo Bush Bucks with an empathic 4-2 victory. 

Orapa United beat Gaborone United 3-1 while second placed Jwaneng Galaxy were held to a 1-1 draw by Sharps Shooting Stars. ENDS