08 Dec 2021

Orapa United surged to the top of the Botswana Premier League table with a 2-0 victory over Township Rollers on Tuesday night.

The high-octane match served up a good contest played at a high tempo throughout.

Rollers had more of the ball for most of the proceedings but Orapa were well organised, staying compact for 75 minutes before striking through Gofaone Mabaya and Mbatshi Elias to emerge victors.

As early as the eighth minute, Popa winger, Aaron Marc Dion, tore into the Orapa backline before delivering a square bass to Lemponye Tshireletso who miscued his effort.

Dion tried to feed into a ball placed into his path by Bame Morwalela, but ballooned over the bar.

Orapa steadily grew into the game 20 minutes into the game and Kabelo Dambe had to leave his line to disturb Omaatla Kebatho from heading home in the 21st minute.

The Ostriches had the ball in the back of the net before the break, but referee Tshepo Gobagoba adjudged Orapa forwards to have impleaded Dambe and a foul was given instead.

Rollers, who had seen a lot of the ball in midfield through Maano Ditshupo and Kutlwelo Mpolokang in the first half without going forward enough, tried to place greater urgency in attack during the second half.

But Popa found the Orapa backline, marshaled by captain Mooketsi Hlabano resolute and difficult to break down.

Orapa goalkeeper, Lesenya Malapela saved Tshireletso’s 64th minute free kick, then Bame Morwalela’s attempt to convert on the rebound.

Minutes later, Malapela was on hand to block another long range Tshireletso attempt.

Just when it seemed they had their backs against the wall, Orapa produced an ace up their sleeves in the last 15 minutes of the match.

A fluid Orapa attack was finished off by Mabaya, nodding in a low 76th minute header into the right near post.

As Rollers tried to push forward for the equaliser, Orapa exploited gaps on the transition.

Elias rounded off Dambe then guided the ball into an empty net in the 90th minute, to hand the visitors a 2-0 triumph.

That handed Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote’s charges a win that took them equal on 16 points with Rollers and BDF XI; the Ostriches going top on superior goal difference, at least until Gaborone United played Security Systems yesterday night. ENDS