21 Apr 2024

Gaborone United (GU) won the city’s bragging rights and three points against arch-rivals Township Rollers in a well-attended Saturday clash at the National Stadium.

The Reds also narrowed The Blues lead in the fight for the second spot in the league to four points through a well deserved 2-0 victory, avenging their 1-2 defeat in the first round.

GU scored an early goal through Molaodi Tlhalefang in the 12th minute.  

Rollers fought back gallantly to find the equaliser in the first half and pilled pressure on the GU defence, but they neglected their defensive duties and  the Money Machine, as GU is affectionately known during its cup winning spree, counter attacked and sealed victory in style with the second goal from Mpho Kgaswane.

The GU victory, however, has not changed the position of both teams on the log as they remain second and third respectively.   

Rollers coach, Innocent Morapedi said his team failed to perform to the derby requirements and could not score a goal.

He also said conceding early in the first half forced them to look for an equaliser and that they suffered another sucker punch at the conclusion of the first half adding that GU played well.

“They had a good game and played well and therefore deserve the three points. We will go back and readjust. We tried our best which was not good enough,” said Morapedi.

On the other hand, Pontsho Moloi said he was impressed with the performance of his players and bagging three points.

He said they executed their game plan well and won the match.

With eight games left before the conclusion of the premier league, GU has 44 points from 22 games.

Meanwhile, a 2-1 midweek victory against BDF XI followed by Saturday’s 3-0 humiliation of Morupule Wanders by log leaders Jwaneng Galaxy increased their points tally to 56, widening the gap between them and second placed Township Rollers to eight points.

In other premier league games played on Saturday, VTM defeated Police XI 3-1, Sua Flamingoes collected maximum points against Matebele, beating them 2-1, Orapa United won 2-0 against Eleven Angels while TAFIC lost 1-3 against NICO United. ENDS