Africa-Press – Botswana. Kobamelo ‘Swere’ Kebaikanye came back to haunt his former side, Township Rollers as his late goal helped guide Masitaoka to a 1-0 win on Friday evening.
Swere struck with a minute left to full time as Masitaoka applied brakes to Rollers’ charge for the league championship in a game played under floodlights at the National Stadium.
The tie got off to some high speed with Rollers dominating the first 10 minutes looking for an early goal. Popa had the first attempt at goal as early as the seventh minute, as Lemponye Tshireletso’s turn and shot attempt at the edge of the box was well collected by the goalkeeper. The game lost some speed beyond the 20-minute mark. On the 29th minute, Segolame Boy attempted a shot at goal but once again Kabelo Kuti was well positioned to make a save. Masitaoka on the other hand showed little threat to their opponents as both sides went into the break level at 0-0. Rollers continued where they left off in the first half.
However, they still failed to find the opener and were let down by poor finishing. As the game progressed, Masitaoka gained some confidence and tried to have a say. Patrick Kaunda could have given Masitaoka the lead as Olebogeng Ramotse put in a perfect cross to the striker. However, his half volley went wide off the post as Rollers’ defense looked beaten.
Majatlhaga then looked more threatening in attack. Their moment came on the 89th minute and it was Rollers’ former player, Kebaikanye, who tucked in a cross from Ramotse to send the visitors in to wild celebrations. The win was Michael Mogaladi’s first in two games since he was appointed Masitaoka head coach. “We could not fight with Rollers pound for pound.
We had to sit back and try to absorb the pressure. We tried to attack them on counter attacks. The most important thing was our transition from defense to attack the moment we got the ball,” Mogaladi said. His counterpart, Romain Folz believes that despite Rollers being a better team for most parts of the game, they did not deserve a win.
The Teams:
Rollers: Kabelo Dambe, Jackson Lesole, Simisane Mathumo, Motsholetsi Sikele, Kutlwelo Mpolokang (Lebopo Moremi), Phenyo Serameng, Lemponye Tshireletso (Tlhalefo Molebatsi), Ovella Ochieng, Jean Bertrand Iradukunda (Aaron Marc Dion), Segolame Boy (Edwin Moalosi)
Masitaoka: Kabelo Kuti, Tapiwa Sepatela, Eric Tjizake, Ivan Kamberipa, Oabile Makopo, Koketso Majafi, Olebogeng Ramotse, Obonetse Dintwa, Kobamelo Kebaikanye, Patrick Kaunda, Ambrosias Amseb
Cautions: Dintwa, Kebaikanye
Rollers 0 Masitaoka 1 (Kebaikanye 89th)
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