21 Feb 2022

Township Rollers on Saturday defeated Gaborone United 1-0 at the Royal Aria Stadium in Tlokweng.

Consequently, the Blues closed the gap at the top of the log to a single point.

This sets up an interesting title race as Rollers, with 43 points still having 11 games to play, breathe down on the necks of GU, who with a game in hand remain top of the log on 44 points with 12 league fixtures to fulfill.

It was a hotly contested match reminiscent of great Gaborone derby games of yore; a full crowd, the game competitive from beginning to end.

Ivorian forward Aaron Marc Dion settled the tie in Rollers favour with the solitary goal 10 minutes to half time.

While the football and atmosphere were a great advert for Botswana football, the crowd control issues were sadly a reminder of poor planning associated with the local game.

The Royal Aria was maybe not the right venue for the fixture.

There was much excitement around this match, the first time the two Gaborone rivals have been involved in a title race and with the huge crowd that turned up, the National Stadium would have been better suited.

Instead, the Aria was packed to the rafters, with some spectators standing dangerously atop the roofs and a near stampede took place as some fans pushed the gates into an already full venue.

Miraculously, no one was reported hurt. On the field, GU took the game to Rollers early on, dominating possession in the first 20 minutes and posing the most attacking threat.

Thero Setsile in particular was a thorn in Rollers’ flash early on, making dangerous runs into the attacking third and taking shots at Kabelo Dambe’s goal.

Dambe was forced into a one handed save by Setsile in the 20th minute and three minutes later, Lebogang Ditsele headed just wide as GU looked to break the deadlock.

Rollers started establishing their foothold from then on and ended the first half the stronger side.

Dion got the Blues ahead in the 35th minute.

Bame Morwalela played the ball wide to Segolame Boy who whipped in a cross into the box where Dion converted from close range to give Rollers the 1-0 lead.

GU continued playing neat possession football in the second period, but found Rollers disciplined in their marking and off the ball movement, denying GU attacking space.

In counter attacking transition play Rollers continued to carve out chances.

Boy saw his volley fly across Goitseone Phoko’s goal in the 66th minute before the ball went wide.

Rollers’ Rwandan international forward, Jean Irandikunda, missed a gilt edged chance, shooting straight at Phoko from close range in the 83rd minute; before, two minutes later, Ditsele hurried back to clear a ball headed goalward by Boy past an advancing Phoko.

It remained 1-0 to the end as Rollers won Gaborone bragging rights.  Ends