25 Aug 2019

 Botswana CAF champions league representative,  Township Rollers were booted out of the lucrative African continental football showpiece in their own backyard on August 24 during their encounter with Young Africans from Tanzania. 

A well-taken free-kick five minutes before the break by the hardworking Balinya Juma was enough to stop Rollers on their tracks of seeking continental glory. 

Rollers breathed a heavy sigh of relief after a penalty was waved to their favour but Segolame Boy shot straight to Boniface Metacha.

It ended 1-0 to Yanga, as Young Africans  are fondly called, thus progressing with a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.

The home side must kick themselves hard for failing to utilise the home crowd advantage and allow a mentally superior Young Africans side to dictate matters.

It was Rollers who looked promising as early as the first minute when Tumisang Orebonye headed agonisingly wide with a yawning net at his mercy.

Undoubtedly Motsholetsi Sikele who put up a man of the match performance was let down by his teammates’ indecisiveness on the final third. His numerous daunting runs down the left flank on the first half went begging.

Young Africans decided to hit Rollers with numerous count attacks with their Congolese attacking midfielder Tshishimbi Pappy orchestrating every move. 

The lanky skipper was influential in every move going forward.

Sensing danger Rollers defensive line manned by Ofentse Nato and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe threw their bodies on the line for their team, blocking any cracking shot from the likes of Balama Mapinduzi who shot from a distance.

On the start of the second half, Yanga threw numbers upfront in search of an assurance goal. Rollers new kid, Phenyo Serameng fluffed a golden chance after being well fed by the marauding Sikele.

Rollers still failed to pull one back with their isolated top man Orebonye firing blanks. Rollers skipper, Maano Ditshupo’s cracking long-range shot was easily collected by Yanga’s goal minder Metasha.

In a post-match interview, Yanga mentor, Zahera Mwingi said his team had better mental strength over the home side. He said in a cup championship tactical discipline was a top priority.

Rollers coach, Tomas Trucha blamed lady luck for their disappointing early exit. He said despite the fact that his team’s general response to instructions was impressive, they could have done better. Trucha changed tactics by throwing more attack-minded players towards the end but it was too little too late. ENDS