MAKWENGWE MISCALCULATES POPA

BY:Kabelo Seleka

GABORONE:​Gaborone United chief tactician Phillimon Makwengwe says he miscalculated Township Rollers tactically by starting the ever versatile lanky offensive ball passer on the bench in Dirang Moloi as his side lost 2 nil in the overly hyped Gaborone derby at the National Stadium this afternoon.  

The visitors GU made a date with the home team and no doubt the defending champions of the Mascom Top 8 cup Rollers after successful getting past Miscellaneous on the first round by a 1 nil win on aggregate.

Popa accepted spheroid challenge by blacking out the Mankgodi based side Black Forrest with a staggering 4 nil win on aggregate.

If form guide is anything to go by,Popa should have registered a loss or a draw at level best after a 3-1 humiliation by Jwaneng Galaxy and a 1 all draw with Notwane in the btc premiership,however the blue train soldiered on to score early on the 11th minute of game after a long squared pass from Tumisang Orebonye on the flank and found Captain Maano Ditshupo unmarked on the edges of the 18 yard area.

Maano did not think for a second as he ballooned lowly powered volley to march his team to the dressing room with a 1 goal lead.The Money Machine did not pose any danger going forward in the first half except for the missed goal creating opportunities by Patrick Kabamba and free kicks corner kicks combo by Thatayaone Kgamanyane.Mothusi Cooper attracted a yellow card in the process.

The second half proved to be awakening for both sides, in the baby steps of the last half Segolame Boy brilliantly long crossed the ball from the right to find the free head of Mosha Gaolaolwe as he headed Popa 2nil to nail Moyagoleele.

Makhwengwe was the first to throw in the dice as he brought on Kutlo Molelowamodimo who did not fruit for The Reds.Obomwe Maome came in to bring life to GU,Dirang Moloi did not get his rhyme as he lost too many balls to the opposition.

In the post mach interview with Sportsnation,Makwengwe alludes that Dirang was a risky to start the match as Rollers attacks serially and he cannot win the ball.

“I wanted him to come in the second half,thinking gore by then we would have scored by then it didnt work”notes Makwengwe.

Coach Nicholas Zachem says he is happy with the results but it is still the first half of the game.”they played the most amazing fashionable display(rollers players)”says Zachem.

Elsewhere, Thero Setsile bid farewell to his team Jwaneng Galaxy with a strike against BDF xi to help his team slide into the second leg ahead with a goal to nil.

The return legs of the hyped Dzodusa are fixtured in two week time.