06 Oct 2024

  The fight for a P1.4 million in first position prize money, a first for the local elite league began on Friday night, and the season could not have opened better than city rivals, Gaborone United (GU) and Township Rollers taking on each other.

The two giants of local football treated spectators to a spectacle, although the game was starved of the much needed goals.

Many concluded that GU was the main culprit in as far as missing chances was concerned, which included a glaring opportunity when Molaodi Tlhalefang missed with an empty net early first half after intercepting a short pass from Rollers Kago Monyake to Kabelo Dambe.

Despite low goal rate, Rollers coach Mogomotsi Mpote indicated in a post-match interview that their intention was to keep working hard to finish in a good position at the end of the season.

“We have a lot of new players that are yet to adapt but am not worried as it’s only the first game, they will soon gel. We played well overall although GU had an upper hand in the first half,” he said.

Mpote said going into the game, their plan was to dominate the midfield, which he was confident they managed, although he admitted that his team might had been lucky to get away with a draw only because GU failed to convert their chances.

He also said even though they gave away a goal that they should not have, he was happy with the immediate reaction to get an equaliser.

“My only concern is why did we have to wait to be hurt first before we showed character. We should have done that from the first whistle,” he said.

Admitting a need to intensify the preparations as early as possible in the season, Mpote indicated his worry at the senior national team camp, which started on Sunday, as he said it was likely to affect their preparations.

Going forth, he said his team needed to work on moving more into the final third and be quick on transition from the back forward. “In this game, I felt we were too slow in transitioning forward, which gave GU time to recover,” he said.

GU coach, Pontsho Moloi also admitted that both teams gave a good game.

“However, in a game of chances I think we were a better side and could have scored our clear chances,” he said, citing Tlhalefang’s side netting.

Moloi also said Rollers were the tactically superior as they adjusted their playing system each time GU tried to adapt to their play.

He said he was content with performance of new players such as Thabo Maponda, whom he hailed as effective in offensive transition.

However, he admitted  the need for his team to sharpen its finishing touch.

“Winning games is about scoring, so we have to work hard in sharpening our finish early in the season,” he said. ENDS