13 Jan 2014

A goal by substitute Manqoba Ngwenya in the dying minutes of the game earned title contenders, Township Rollers a crucial point away from home in a be Mobile league encounter against Orapa United on January 11.

Orapa United were looking for revenge after suffering 0-2 defeat against Rollers in the first round. The home team made their intentions clear on the 22nd minute as they grabbed the lead through one of the veteran players, Kgakgamatso Pharo.

Orapa United defended their lead well for most part of the game, but the narrow lead was cancelled by Ngwenya at a time when the home team supporters were preparing to celebrate their victory.

Ngwenya who came in as a substitute replacing Kobamelo Kebaikanye opened his scoring account at Township Rollers as he released a powerful shot after receiving a pass from a subsequent corner kick.

Rollers started the game on a low note, giving the home team enough space to create scoring opportunities. In the absence of Lawrence Majawa, Rollers lacked an anchorman to hold and distribute killer passes.

On the other hand, Orapa United fielded some of the newly registered players in the likes of Hendrick Moyo from Lobatse outfit, BMC and William Kupera from Township Rollers. 

Moyo, even though he did not score on his maiden appearance for the Orapa based team, combined well with Pharo appearing to be a remedy that has been lacking as the team hd s been failing to convert.

Township Rollers, who are currently placed second on the league log, were looking for a win at all costs as they came into the game trailing behind the log leaders BDF XI by a point.

The draw had been a setback for the title contenders as the log leaders managed to collect maximum points after defeating Gaborone United 1-0 increasing the lead to three points.

Besides losing two crucial points, Rollers assistant coach Teenage Mpote was also given marching orders by the referee in the second half of the game. Mpote failed to contain himself as he appeared to be against most of the decisions taken by the match officials against his team. ENDS