05 Jan 2025

The much anticipated FNB Premiership match between bitter rivals Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers ended in a goalless draw at Royal Aria Stadium in Tlokweng on Saturday. Chiefs created better scoring opportunities in *a* well attended nail-bitting encounter, as the two enemies met for the first time in an official match in almost six years. Rollers crushed Chiefs 4-0 in that match in May 2019, Magosi relegated to the first division at the end of that season, and only returned to the premier league this season after buying the status of Masitaoka. Botshelo Mangena wasted an early opportunity to give Rollers a great start on Saturday, shooting straight at Chiefs goalkeeper Kabelo Maphakela after receiving a square pass unmarked inside the penalty area. After surviving the early lscare, Magosi settled in the match and looked more threatening with the on form Thatayaone Ramatlapeng orchestrating their attacks. In the 16th minute Chiefs captain swung in a great free-kick, and with the Rollers defence slow to react, Thami Zulu slotted the ball past goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe, but the South African born defender was ruled offside. Rollers were struggling to break Chiefs' rear-guard, however defender Bapaletswe Simon came close in the 32nd minute when his header sailed narrowly over the posts from a corner kick by Kago Monyake. Onkarabile Ratanang and Godfrey Tauyatswala also tried from long range with little success. The enterprising Ramatlapeng then played a clever pass to Khumoetsile Kufigwa inside the penalty area, who *controlled deftly* before firing narrowly wide despite the attention from Rollers defenders in the 43rd minute. Simon went into the referee's book for crunching on Lobopo Moremi as Chiefs continued with their enterprising attacks in the second half. Dambe was also yellow carded for handling the ball outside the box. Ramatlapeng then weaved past his marker on the right flank and played a beautiful pass to Kufigwa, but Lemogang Maswena snatched the ball with a brilliant tackle before the striker could pull the trigger. Rollers interim coach Innocent Morapedi brought on Obonwe Maome, Dina Dinanga and Ambrosious Amseb but they couldn't add more fire to the Rollers stuttering attack and the match finished in a stalemate. Even the late introduction of Mosha Gaolaolwe couldn't inspire a winner for Popa. Rollers are second placed on the log standings with 26 points from 13 matches. Chiefs are in fifth place with 22 points from 13 matches. Ends