21 May 2023

Gaborone United claimed the city’s bragging rights with a 2-0 victory over Township Rollers at Lobatse Sports Complex on Saturday.

The victory also kept alive the Reds’ faint title hopes as they trail Jwaneng Galaxy by five points with two matches remaining.

GU dictated terms for almost the entire match and created numerous opportunities, compared to few from their arch-rivals. GU’s hunger was evident as early as the fourth minute when Mothusi Johnson forced a finger-tip save from Rollers young goalkeeper, Kabelo Maphakela. Thatayaone Kgamanyane then saw his header hit the post from the resultant corner kick.

A few minutes later, Sizwe Twala dragged a glorious opportunity wide after Thero Setsile released him behind the opposition defence.

Rollers slowly settled into the match and Lobopo Moremi hit their first attempt wide of Goitseone Phoko’s goalposts in the 15th minute.

Johnson came close a few minutes later with another free-kick from a dangerous position after Mothusi Cooper was fouled by Rollers’ Phenyo Serameng.

The match then became tense with tackles flying around. The whole Rollers bench remonstrated with the referee and asked for the dismissal of Johnson after the left-back’s crunching tackle on Moremi.

Phoko then came to GU rescue with a one-on-one save against Tlhalefo Molebatsi who had dispossessed Kennedy Amutenya in the 39th minute as the GU defender dallied with the ball at the back.

The crossbar once again denied GU early in the second half as they tried to open the scoring with another Johnson free-kick after Simisani Mathumo handled the ball in a tussle with Twala. 

GU also came close with Kgamanyane and Setsile.

However, the team was finally rewarded when Amutenya rose above the Rollers defence to power home a corner- kick from Johnson in the 61st minute.

Rollers were reduced to 10 men when centre-back, Thabo Babutsi, was sent off five minutes later for holding Kgamanyane who was clear on goal.

Setsile was denied by the post from the resultant free-kick and Kgamanyane had a goal disallowed for offside soon after.

However, the pressure from GU reduced as the second half progressed. This gave Rollers the opportunity to create some half chances.  They nearly equalised when a free-kick by Segolame Boy crushed off the upright with Phoko rooted to the spot.

Mpho Kgaswane, however, slammed home a powerful shot deep in stoppage time to wrap up the victory.  The two teams will face each other again next weekend in the Orange FA Cup semi-finals.  ENDS