21 Jul 2019

Premier league champions Township Rollers got their preparations for the upcoming league race to a perfect start after edging South African soccer giants Kaizer Chiefs 2-1.

Goals from Kaone Vanderwesthuizen and Tumisang Orebonye were enough to hand Rollers the much needed victory against the visiting Soweto giants at the new Jamali Stadium in Tlokweng.

However, the visiting team was the first to break the ice as early as the third minute through a well taken header from Bernard Parker who was beautifully fed by new signee Samir Nurkovic on the far left.

The goal spurred Chiefs on and they started pressing forward throwing numbers into the home side’s danger area. Rollers sat back and absorbed the pressure for the entire opening 30minutes. 

Later, Nurkovic failed to utilise a rare opportunity after a well taken cross from the right, but moments later he forced a great save from Rollers goal minder, Keeagile Kgosipula, who was selected ahead of newly signed Kabelo Dambe.

Orebonye, who had a good day at the office, hit the upright with his trademark long range shot leaving Chiefs keeper Bruce Bvuma in sixes and sevens. 

The Bafana Bafana keeper was selected ahead of number one keeper Itumeleng Khune who sat in the bench and not fit to start. 

On the other end, Parker failed to grab a brace after ricocheting his effort against the woodwork.

As the game warmed up Rollers started to make a few moves into the middle of the park where their talisman Mothusi Cooper pulled all the strings. 

After a couple of good moves Popa found a good number of their players inside the Chiefs box and Kaone drew Rollers level from close range.

It was an end to end attack towards the hour mark with the likes of Segolame Boy and Motsholetsi Sikele having their fair share of the cake. 

One of Sikele’s runs resulted in an easy tap for Orebonye in the 68^th minute to put Rollers in the driving seat. Edwin Moalosi, who had replaced Sikele, snubbed a great chance to put the game beyond Chiefs reach as his stylish chip was easily collected by Bvuma.

Chiefs’ German mentor Ernst Middendorp had given new signees Nurkovic, Kearyn Baccus and Lazarous Kambole a starting berth while Ghanian James Kotei warmed the bench.

However new Rollers head Tom Trucha had the longest laugh at the end of 90 minutes.

Earlier on the day Extension Gunners and Notwane failed to find the back of the net in an entertaining first match of the day. 

Both teams fielded young and promising players, an indication that they could get some more first team opportunities in the coming season. Gunners’ new coach Stanley Mwaanga is a renowned development coach. Ends