05 Nov 2023

Township Rollers’ Siphamandla Sangweni fired a sole goal in the 68th minute to defeat their host Orapa United 1-0 in a Botswana Premier League encounter at Itekeng Stadium in Orapa on Saturday.

The game started off on a good note with players from both teams matching each other and occasionally missing scoring opportunities.

However, realising that their opponents had prepared to thwart their efforts, Rollers alias Mapalastina changed the complexion of the game, pilling pressure on the Ostriches, creating several scoring opportunities, through Marcell Papama and Obonye Maome who failed to convert.

Ostriches’ Tshepo Malgas also attempted a goal via a pass from Onkemetse Powe but missed.

After half time, Kelvin Bingala of Orapa United tried to score with a header but was defended by the goal keeper Keagile Kgosipula. Shaun Gcumeni was substituted with Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele.

Sangweni of Township Rollers rose to the occasion to give his side a lead on the 68th minute, and his goal put more pressure on Orapa United as they worked endlessly to try and equalise.

The Ostriches’ Koketso Majafi headed a ball in to the goal post on the 75th minute but was defended by the goalkeeper and Rollers attempted a second goal on the 77th minute  through Ngele but failed, whilst Bingala of the Ostriches headed  his ball over the goal post.

Another desperate move for a goal by Orapa failed as Tlamelo Kolagano attempted to equalize on the 88th minute but his efforts were thwarted by Rollers’ goal keeper, Kabelo Dambe.

Rollers Coach, Innocent Morapedi said playing against the likes of Orapa United has never been easy as they tactically matched his players.

He said while sometimes it was difficult to defend the ball, one could defend the space their counterparts wanted to utilise.

Morapedi said that they played Sangweni because of his endurance and fighting spirit, and his combination with Ngele had been a thorn in the flesh for Ostriches.

 He said the next game would be against Gaborone United in a Gaborone Derby,  indicating that they were going for all the three points.

Orapa Coach, Tawurayi Mangwiro described the game as a fiercely contested match and unfortunately found themselves on the losing end despite their efforts to win the game.

He said they allowed Rollers to sneak in and got a goal at the critical stage of the game.

Mangwiro indicated that sometimes in football, there was need for luck, which was unfortunately not on their side.

He said they responded well after conceeding but failed to convert several chances they created.

Their next game would be against  Francistown based Eleven Angels. Ends