Morapedi bets on history to win league title
Larona Makhaiza | Monday March 18, 2024 15:22
Morapedi said this in a post match interview on Friday night after his side secured an emphatic 3-1 win against Police XI. He stated that they have what it takes to win the title. Rollers occupied the summit of the league table on Friday night only before Jwaneng Galaxy dethroned them again on Saturday.
Morapedi said history favours them against the Jwaneng-based side. “You see, history tempts me to say who has the pedigree of winning the league between Rollers and Galaxy,. If we choose from the two, Rollers will surely be the right candidate to win the league,” he confidently said.
However, he acknowledged that it will be a mammoth task for the two teams as the league reaches the last quarter. Though Rollers won with a convincing 3-1-win score line, they did not have it easy against Police XI especially in the first half. ‘The Jungle Kings’ did not pay homage as they attacked with all they got until the deadlock was broken on the 39th minute. On the brink of halftime, Police XI striker, Thabiso Boti, opened the scoring with a powerful shot inside the box, which beat goalkeeper, Bophelo Kealeboga. Returning from the break, Rollers looked the better side due to the introductions of Thabo Rakhale and Marcel Papama.
Godfrey Tauyatswala missed from close range after Rakhale set him up after cutting inside the box. On the 54th minute, Rakhale once again called the goalkeeper, Lesego Bosekeng to task who parried the ball away for a corner. From the same corner Popa managed to get an equaliser through Simisane Mathumo’s towering header.
Three minutes after getting the equaliser, Rollers conceded a penalty after Onkarabile Ratanang brought down Boti inside the box. Kealeboga was, however, the hero of the night as he saved the penalty impeccably to deny Basiamisi Sebapalo. Rollers kept attacking until they found the lead for the first time in the game after Omphile Vissagie caught Police napping and he easily converted from close range in the 70th minute. With only two minutes before added time, Segolame Boy found the back of the net to make it 3-1. Boy scored through a header from Papama’s scintillating cross inside the box. Despite the loss, Police XI head coach, Nelson Olebile was left enthralled by his troops. “This game was just about decision making because my belief is that we had a very good first half. We created chances and we could have won the game in the first half. Overall, I am happy with the performance,” he said.
The teams Rollers: Bophelo Kealeboga, Motsholetsi Sikele, Onkarabile Ratanang, Simisane Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Omphile Vissagie, Phenyo Serameng, Edwin Moalosi (Marcel Papama), Godfrey Tauyatswala, Shaun Gcumeni (Thabo Rakhale), Segolame Boy (Tsepho Matete). Police: Lesego Bosekeng, Thabang Toko, Thabo Boonetse, Allen Ndodole (Joseph Jospeh), Basiamisi Sebapalo, Botshelo Mangena, Ogomoditswe Sitang (Oarabile Sekwai), Banele Ndzabandzaba, Tlhalefo Molebatsi, Tapiwa Gadibolae, Thabiso Boti (Richard Tsuseb).
Rollers 3 (Mathumo 55th, Vissagie 71th, Boy 88th) Police XI 1 (Boti 39th)