16 Dec 2021

A solitary penalty strike by Township Rollers captain, Maano Ditshupo helped Popa to a narrow 1-0 victory over old city rivals, Notwane at the Royal Aria Stadium in Tlokweng on Wednesday afternoon.

The two teams played a closely contested match, and had to be separated by Ditshupo’s 12th minute penalty.

Popa and Sechaba attacked relentlessly from the start.

After a good run up the right flank, Rollers enterprising midfielder, Lobopo Moremi unleashed a long-range strike that went wide in the 17th minute.

Notwane responded with an overlapping kick, with Karabo Rabasadi having a good chance to shoot a goal from close range, only for Rollers’ Onkarabile Ratanang to recover and make the crucial tackle.

Towards the end of the first half, Rollers striker, Bame Morwalela had a one on one with Notwane goalkeeper, Mabitso Rapowa, who was able to block the effort.

Both sides picked their pace early in the second half as Rollers looked to make the game safe with a second goal and Notwane looked for an equaliser.

The talented Shaun Theron and Raymond ‘Rasta’ Israel, who came on for Tefo Galani and Kudzani Sibanda respectively, gave Notwane more shape in midfield, and Sechaba became more of a threat in the second period.

Popa goalkeeper, Kabelo Dambe left his line to try and block a Sechaba attack, but failed to collect the ball, forcing Ratanang to clear the ball off the line.

Rollers’ Ivorian striker, Aaron Marc Dion connected with a header in the Notwane danger zone in the 67th minute, but Sechaba goal minder, Rapowa was alert to the danger.

Rollers’ Phenyo Serameng and Boyo Lechaena struck the post in quick succession with their attempts in the 78th and 80th minutes.

Dambe had a couple of crucial saves to keep Rollers in the lead; first denying Thato Moganana, and then two minutes from time, making a brilliant save to parry a shot unleashed by Israel.

The victory took Rollers to 20 points, while Notwane, who have only one win, are still on three points. ENDS