11 Apr 2019

Township Rollers head coach, Rodolfo Zapata bemoaned his team’s inability to utilise goal scoring opportunities after being frustrated to a goalless derby draw by Gaborone United on April 10, and losing grip on the BTC Premiership log leadership.

The second successive league stalemate in a matter of a few days for the three-times defending champions allowed on-song Jwaneng Galaxy to climb above Rollers into pole position with 56 points from 26 matches, as the fight for the league championships heats up. 

‘Mapalastina’ now trail by one point although they have a game in hand. 

Played at Lobatse Sports Complex for the first time since the stadium was opened eight years ago, the Gaborone derby produced entertaining moments for the sizable number of supporters in attendance, as the two old adversaries had a go at each other for the entire 90 minutes plus.

Rollers moved the ball quickly to their strikers Joel Mogorosi, Segolame Boy, Lemponye Tshireletso and Tumisang Orebonye to attack GU with pace, and they managed to create numerous clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first half. 

However, Boy, Tshireletso and Orebonye where denied by GU goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko. 

Mogorosi had the ball in the back of the net after sneeking behind the static GU defence and heading home a well taken free-kick in the 29^th minute, but the goal was ruled offside by Tshepo Gobagoba. 

GU on the other hand employed a more patient approach, utilising the likes of captain Alphonse Modisaotsile, Rentse Keakabetse, Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Obonwe Maome and Dirang Moloi to attack through the midfield. 

However, their passes into the final third were not accurate enough to release Jerome Ramatlhakwana, and thus struggled to trouble Rollers goalkeeper, Keeagile Kgosipula.

The ‘Reds’ however became more dangerous in the second half, and Kgosipula was finally called into action when he saved Ramatlhakwana’s header in the 50^th minute while Keakabetse fired over the bar a few minutes later. 

Substitute Patrick Kabamba dragged an effort inches wide, but it was Rollers who came closest to scoring when Bindu Bibo’s shot crashed against the post with Phoko rooted to the ground.

“I am disappointed because we dropped two points. We deserved to win, we worked hard, and we fought and created chances, but we couldn’t finish. We should have won the game in the first half after creating three or four clear chances to kill the game,” said Zapata in a post-match interview.

GU head coach, Phillimon Makhwengwe expressed satisfaction at the way the team applied themselves against their old enemy. 

“The game was very good, it was tactical, and we were coming at each other. It was a beautiful game. We missed our chances and they missed theirs,” Makwengwe said.

He said they had with seven injuries after the players got knocks against BR Highlanders last weekend. 

“To get a point from Rollers today in the situation we were in was good. We had to play with Dirang in attack but he is a midfielder. Kgamanyane was a bit sluggish so we could not charge,” he said. 

GU remains in position six with 38 points from 26 matches. ENDS