20 Mar 2022

Kobamelo ‘Swere’ Kebaikanye struck a late goal to hand Masitaoka a 1-0 victory over Township Rollers in a Botswana Premier League match at the National Stadium on Friday night.

Majatlhaga stung Popa for the second time this campaign, having first defeated Rollers in the Orange FA Cup semi-final in December.

 It was a well-deserved triumph for a determined Masitaoka.

For most of the first half and early moments of the second half, Majatlhaga were compact, working hard off the ball to deny Popa attacking space.

In the final 30 minutes, Masitaoka started pushing men forward, having more possession and attacking shape

They had a couple of close chances before Kebaikanye, who is former Rollers player, got them the 89th minute winner.

Rollers had the early initiative, looking to use the pace of full backs Jackson Lesole and Motsholetsi Sikele as well as Ovella Ochieng further up the wing to try play quick balls into attacking space.

But Masitaoka defended well, in the first half reducing Rollers to two long range attempts by Lemponye Tshireletso and Segolame Boy which Kabelo Kuti in the Majatlhaga goal adequately dealt with.

In counter attacking transition play, Masitaoka were clearly working on exploiting the gaps left by Lesole and Sikele as Rollers pushed forward.

Wingers; Ototeng Dintwa and Kebaikanye were particularly dangerous when Majatlhaga made those quick forays into the pockets of space into the attacking channels.

In the 69th minute, Masitaoka forward Patrick Kaunda missed a sitter, shooting wide when he was in acres of space in the Rollers danger zone with just Kabelo Dambe to beat.

Kebaikanye also came agonisingly close for Majatlhaga late on.

With just a minute left, Kebaikanye then made amends, striking from close range to hand Masitaoka the 1-0 win.

Rollers stayed second on the log on 53 points after 24 games. 

Earning a single point from a possible six in their latest two league games; the goalless draw away to Orapa United and the home loss to Masitaoka could have derailed the Blues’ title aspirations.

On one hand, Masitaoka who after 24 outings moved to 28 points, stepped up to position 10 on the night; at least until Prisons XI, who started the weekend on 26 points, played log leaders and title favourites Gaborone United yesterday. Ends