21 Oct 2018

First-half goals by Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ Arnold Mampori and Kago Monyake of Township Rollers accounted for a 1-1 score-line on October 20 at the UB Stadium as the BTC Premiership battle royale between Magosi and Popa ended in a stalemate.

Just after the referee blew his final whistle, Chiefs players proceeded towards their fans to lap up the applause; the skull of the old enemy had not been delivered; but Magosi had displayed the fighting spirit of a wounded buffalo to emerge with their pride intact.

The two sides have a rivalry dating back to the 1980s but this enmity has only truly heightened during the premier league era; that is since the old super league was renamed in 2006, as the two sides have been dominant, between them winning the last nine Botswana Premier League titles.

The match started half an hour late as the capacity crowd made their way into the arena; at some point, a near stampede ensued as supporters broke one gate to force entry into the stadium, with the Special Support Group unit of the police called in to beef up crowd control.

Disturbed by the strong wind and a poor pitch not conducive for flowing carpet football, both sides improvised by playing quick long balls, and it became a high octane clash nonetheless.

Rollers striker, Tumisang Orebonye could not profit from a ball played deep into the Chiefs danger zone in the third minute, the Popa marksman unable to control from close range.

Magosi goalkeeper, Siamisang Dikago saved from Joel Mogorosi’s feet in the seventh minute, and Mogorosi’s attempt to score the rebound went over the bar with an open net at his mercy.

Chiefs took the lead after an exquisitely taken Mampori free kick from well outside the right edge of the Rollers 18-yard box; the ball probably aided in by being hit in the direction of the strong wind, but still a beauty of a goal. Minutes later, Rollers drew level through Monyake, who scored from close range after a goalmouth melee.

The two sides concluded the first half playing at a high tempo, but in the second half, the pace of the match slowed somewhat.

Mampori and Morris Ruzivo proved a handful in the middle of the park, working hard for the Magosi cause.

Rollers introduced Lemponye ‘FC’ Tshireletso, Kamogelo Matsabu and later Ivan Ntege, pulling out Orebonye, Monyake and Motsholetsi Sikele. But the substitutions did not bear fruit.

Centre Chiefs forward Terrance Mandaza had his strike saved by Rollers goal minder Wagarre Dikago, while Mampori had to make a goal-line clearance to keep out a goal-bound Mogorosi effort.

Rollers now having 20 points after six wins and two draws, while Centre Chiefs have now gathered seven points after one win, four draws and three losses. Ends