11 Mar 2014

Rolling Boys boosted their chances of gaining promotion to the elite league on Sunday (March 9) when they beat Black Forest 1-0 in a Debswana First Division South league match.

The win ended Black Forest’s 15 match unbeaten run. Letlapeng now lead the log after a 3-0 win over Mochudi Buffaloes.

Rolling Boys’ midfielder, Kabo Matlhare scored during stoppage time to give Wire Kaelo’s boys a much needed victory in front of a capacity crowd at the SSG grounds.

Though Rolling Boys remained in third place with 29 points, they narrowed the gap between them and Letlapeng to four points as the battle for promotion to the elite league hots up.

The match was expected to be a thriller as it featured two teams that surpassed expectations with their performance this season. But alas, it turned out to be a disjointed affair as both sides struggled to play good football and hardly created scoring opportunities.

Eager for a win, Rolling Boys sent an early warning in the 6th minute when Omphile Sebolai forced a good save from Black Forest goalkeeper Israel Kealeboga. Rolling Boys did most of the attacking in the first half but they struggled to penetrate the Black Forest defense manned by Mogaminyana Letsholo and Tshenolo Mankanka.

The Boys continued to attack and Omphile Madala and Mogomotsi Keabaitse wasted promising opportunities, shooting wide as the first half ended without a goal.

Rolling Boys goalkeeper Mmoloki Sedimo was virtually a spectator in the first half. Two minutes into the second half, Kealeboga was called into action again as he produced a point blank save from Orapeleng Nkwe’s header after the striker was allowed freedom to connect with Madala’s corner-kick.

The game came to life when Black Forest midfielders, Mogomotsi Kerebotswe and Ofentse Mothulwe finally ignited, almost opening the score line and putting their team ahead on two occasions.

Mothulwe’s close range header narrowly missed the target in the 73rd minute, while Oaitse Sekgetle drilled a shot wide from inside the penalty area.

With action swinging from end to end as the two sides frantically searched for a goal, Matlhare settled the match with a golden touch from one of the best moves of the day.

After a patient build up the midfielder collected a pass from Galefetoge Kenaope inside the penalty area and calmly drove a low shot past Kealeboga in the 91st minute. Coach Wire Kaelo was ecstatic, saying his boys deserved the win as they were the better team on the day.

“It was always going to be a difficult game because we were playing log leaders, but my boys played well today. Black Forest is a good side, but we studied them well and I am happy with the result. We will continue to push hard and pile pressure on the two teams above us,” he said.

In other weekend games, Masitaoka eased their relegation worries by beating Black Peril 2-1 in Molepolole, and Mogoditshane Fighters edged Jwaneng Comets by the same score on Saturday. Prisons XI defeated Killer Giants 3-1 while Gantsi Terrors lost 1-0 to Modipane United. ENDS