14 Nov 2022

A 10-man Township Rollers grinded out a 1-0 win over BDF XI at Lobatse Sports Complex on Saturday.

The opening minutes of the game were exciting as both teams threw caution to the wind in search of an early goal.

Pound for pound, the two teams were matching each other in the opening minutes and played enterprising football although BDF XI sat back in preparation for a quick counter attack.

BDF XI’s defence did well to contain Township Rollers strikers and they closed the pockets that their opponents were trying to open.

Rollers’ utility player, Ototeng Dintwa, got a red card in the 30th minute after taking a dive inside the box. 

It was his second yellow card and his team was reduced to 10 men.

However, being a man down seemed to galvanise Rollers players to give their all and they dominated proceedings in the middle of the park.

On one hand, BDF XI were disjointed in their attack and gave away possession easily. 

However, their defence was equal to the task and they kept the Blues strikers at bay in the first half

Motsholetsi Sikele, who was a marvel to watch, came close to breaking the ice in the 38th minute when he struck the cross bar.

In the 55th minute, Sikele delivered a brilliant cross for Thabo Wetshoemang to head home and break the deadlock.

Oratile Taunyane fought hard for BDF XI upfront but his efforts were not enough for his side to salvage the game.

BDF XI’s Godfrey Tauyatswala came close to snatching an equaliser in the 89th minute, but his effort hit the cross bar as lady luck was not on his side.

In a post-match interview, Letang Kgengwenyane, said his charges did not start well and were disturbed by the weather conditions as it was raining and the pitch was slippery.

He said they managed to contain Rollers and that they adjusted their system because they had an extra man, but could create clear chances for them to bury.

He said luck without preparation would not materialise and that opportunity and preparation equate to luck. 

He also said his strikers needed composure upfront.

Thabo Motang said they learnt from the previous games and that they implemented what they learnt against BDF XI. 

He also said there was need for his team to remain focused to produce the needed results in upcoming games.

He said initially they employed the 4-4-2 formation but changed when they were one man down. 

He said they sacrificed a striker to beef up their wings because BDF XI was using the flanks.

He said it was not a question of numbers but the mentality of players to want more that helped his charges not to feel the pressure of being one man down. ends