POPA TOPS THE LOG

BY:Phodiso Gaebepe

MOLEPOLOLE; Township Rollers tops the log for the first time this season yesterday after walloping Prisons XI 2-0 at Molepolole Sports Complex yesterday evening.

It looked so obvious going into this encounter looking at the two teams quality of squad. However Popa did not find it easy as they thought. Prisons XI came into this game being the underdogs, they have little quality and experience on their squad. Everyone expected Rollers to run riot on them. That was not the case as they fought hard in the first half to make sure they go for break without conceding a goal. The game plan for Prisons was so easy, being first on the ball and closing all the spaces to deny Popa from playing their normal passing game. Popa was not comfortable with the play as they were forced to play high balls in order to try get them to their strikers in Joel and Orebonye. In the middle of the park Mothusi Copper was there and won every loose ball. He controlled the tempo of the game played those penetrating ground balls in order to find his strikers. High balls were not working for them as Prisons were able to compete for them easily. Prisons hit the post on the early minutes of the game, the only real chance they had. At the back Mosha and Mathumo were rock solid. Made no mistakes and were very comfortable. The pressure was less on them as Prisons were struggling to penetrate their midfield.

Leutlwetse Tshireletso said Prisons made it difficult for them as they forced them to play a different style. 

In the second half Popa came out different.Took control of the game, attacked more. We now started seing Matsabu chasing down the defence with skill and speed. Popa now got into the final third more often until they forced a free-kick that was well curvy from Mothusi Copper into the net. That was the opening goal, Segolame Boy came in for Kago Monyake and changed the game altogether.

More attacks came for Rollers with Boy orchestrating them. Prisons were now on the back foot, they had totally lost control of the game. Boys combination with Matsabu Joel and Orebonye was so dangerous for Prisons.  Boyo Lechaena came in to kill the game altogether with his killer passes that penetrated the defence for Prisons. He started a very dangerous move from the wing with one touches with Joel and was well finished by Segolame Boy to make it 2-0. After the game during the interview Makhwengwe said ” these guys have high quality and experience, they were playing with their heads up while we played with our heads down.

They were able to see everything that’s where they were able t beat us” he said the 2-0 result is not a true complexion of the game. The game should have been a draw, either 2-2, 1-1 or goalless draw.  If they had taken their chances in the first half. 

In the other encounter, Orapa United won  Miscellaneous Sporting 2-0.

The line up for Township Rollers was; Wagarre Radikago, Motsholetsi Sikele , Simisani Mathumo, Moshe Gaolaolwe, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Kago Monyake, Maano Ditshupo, Mothusi Copper, Joel Mogorosi, Kamogelo Matsabu, Tumisang Orebonye.

For Prisons XI; Ontiretse Gaotlhobogwe, Moemedi Sendu, Olebogeng J Ranko, Benny Bogatsu, Tshepiso Matshaba, Dens Bukenya, Condry O Masire, Martin O Olopot, Percy M Bontseng, Kitso Mpuisang, Tumo Lebanna.