POPA CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE AGAINST HIGHLANDERS

BY:Phodiso  Gaebepe

​MOLEPOLOLE ; The last game of the week 9 of the BTC Premiership, also the last game of the weekend brought together a team from the central, Mahalapye and the giants of the capital city of Botswana, Gaborone.

The two teams battled it out at the Molepolole sports complex with Township Rollers being the hosts on Sunday 28th 2018. Township Rollers slightly won by 1-0 to get the much needed 3 points.   

BR Highlanders have a history of giving Popa a tough game everytime they meet. The last time they were in the top flight, they were one of the few teams , if not the only team to collect 4 points from Popa as they won first round by 2-1 and getting a draw on the second round.

Yesterday was not so different as Township Rollers had to sweat for the 3 points.  Thanks to the cross from Jackson Lesole which was greatly mis-read by the goalkeeper of BR Highlanders, Lapologang Molatlhegi. Lesole was only making a cross from a wonderful pass from Segolame Boy, a beautiful and quick build up which opened up a tight Highlanders defence.

It was a tough game for the two teams, The young boys from Mahalapye really put up a brave fight as they were trying by all means to match up Popa.

Their main problem was that Rollers did not give them enough space and time on the ball. The man of the match of the game, Mothusi Copper was a pillar in the midfield, he destroyed every move that the Mahalapye boys tried to start.  He was a bit hard on them and won a lot of balls. His distribution was also incredibly.  This forced Highlanders to add numbers in front of him to try and close all the options whenever he has the ball.

This now made them to have less numbers in front. So whenever they won the ball, most of the bodies would be behind the ball.

Highlanders struggled to play their normal slow build ups from the back. Instead they were forced to clear away the balls from the danger area and Popa would come back with them as there was not enough bodies upfront.

Jackson Lesole was able to make those overlaps with ease as the pressure was less on him. Segolame Boy also had a good game as he was one of the few players who could almost break up the BR Highlanders defence with his one-twos.

The Highlanders put more numbers at the back, this made it difficult for Rollers to get a goal. Most of the shots were blocked. The coming in of Lemponye Tshireletso and Joel Mogorosi increased the attack for Rollers, however BR Highlanders stood tight at the back.

The Mahalapye based club continues to prove to be a thorn in the flesh for Mapalastina. The game was only decided by one goal . Highlanders also made some changes to change the game , brought in Temo Keorileng and Brain Kobe and brought out Moshe Mokgethi and Tumo Keiketlile.

Kamogelo Matsabu was also brought in for Rollers to add more attack. Benjamin Jerteh Sarkoh, Tumisang Orebonye and Jackson Lesole made way for the earlier mentioned players.

The match ended with a hard earned 1-0 for Township Rollers.