20 Feb 2020

An emphatic 4-1 victory for Township Rollers against Tafic catapulted the BTC Premiership defending champions Popa to the top of the log on Wednesday night at the National Stadium

A Tlhalefo Molebatsi brace, as well as one goal each from Motsholetsi Sikele and Lemponye Tshireletso, accounted for the Blues victory, with Batisani Josiah scoring the solitary goal for Matjimenyenga

From the onset, Rollers through the highly skilled Mothusi Cooper dictated the tempo of the match and was ahead as early as the sixth minute. Tumisang Teenage Orebonye whipped in a pinpoint cross that located Molebatsi who headed in the Blues opener

Stanley Mwaanga’s Tafic side looked to soak up pressure and proceed to hit Rollers with counter-attacking play but was often pinned back

Rollers’ Motsholetsi Sikele let fly from a distance in the 18th minute, the ball going over the bar before Tafic goalkeeper Abednico Morapedi rose to cut out a cross from Kamogelo Matsabu. Matjimenyenga then managed to get their attacking play going with full back Kgosietsile Ernest whipping in a dangerous cross cut out by Rollers goal minder Kabelo Dambe.

Josiah then headed in the visitors’ equalizer in the 41st minute, Dambe failing to deal with a cross into the box before the ball located an unmarked Josiah who headed in from close range.

Rollers’ lead was restored two minutes later when Sikele tapped in from close range. Just before the half time recess, Tafic midfielder Michael Murirwa struck a powerful shot tipped over the bar by Dambe.

In the second half, Kemoreng Batisani nearly equalised for Tafic but Dambe narrowed the angle and cut out the attempt. Rollers then added two goals to complete their victory; Molebatsi curling in a shot to the far post in the 59th minute, and later, second-half substitute Tshireletso hit the target in the 79th minute.

Post-match, Mwaanga said his team had managed to do relatively well in the first half but was eventually outplayed by a Rollers side who made good use of the width of the pitch to play in crosses into the box.

His counterpart, Frank Nuttall said his team had managed to build on their previous performance, the 1-0 victory over Prisons XI but were more clinical in front of goal.

Rollers, who started the night fourth on the log on 37 points, leapfrogged into position one, equal on 40 points with Orapa United, but with Popa ahead on goal difference.

With all the teams now having played 19 games, and with just eleven matches to go for each, the scene is poised for an exciting title challenge run in. The top four sides are separated by just two points- Rollers and Orapa are on 40 points, followed by Security Systems and Jwaneng Galaxy who have 39 and 38 points respectively.

Fifth-placed Gaborone United, who sit on 33 points are rank outsiders but could still mount a challenge.

It is equally tight at the lower end of the log- Tafic is on position 14 with 15 points, the same points tally currently accumulated by 13th placed Extension Gunners, with Notwane, who is in position 12, having a point more.           With Orange FA Cup coming up over the weekend, the league will resume on February 28 when Tafic travels to Serowe to face Miscellaneous, Rollers due to play Gaborone United in a mouthwatering Gaborone derby two days later, March 1. BOPA