We Have To Win Every Match - Zapata
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday March 18, 2019 12:41
The Argentinean gaffer was speaking in the wake of his side’s 4-1 win over Extension Gunners on Saturday.
“Everyone knows my philosophy. I have to win every single game. I am working on winning the league and that means we have to win every single game,” Zapata told journalists game.
He said his side deserved to win and was not worried even after going to the half-time break trailing by a goal.
“I told my players at half-time that I have two good news. The first being that we still have 45 minutes left to play. The second good news being that even though we were playing not at the level we wanted, we still created opportunities,” he explained.
“I knew a goal was coming anytime. My job is to shape the team so that it can be able to create scoring opportunities and that is why we play with so many offensive players.”
Gunners took an early lead through a spot kick. Rollers central defender, Mosha Gaolaolwe was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Then Gunners defender, Mmoloki Kebalepile stepped up and coolly slotted past Rollers goalkeeper, Keeagile Kgosipula.
The goal gave Gunners some inspiration as the Lobatse side controlled the tempo with Rollers still trying to find its feet.
Rollers’ chance came in the middle of the first half but Gunners goalkeeper, Katlego Mbise made a double save to deny Segolame Boy and Tumisang Orebonye. Kebalepile’s goal separated the two sides at half-time. From the dugout, Rollers came out fired up and within seven minutes, they were level courtesy of Joel Mogorosi’s goal.
Moments later, Rollers introduced Kamogelo Matsabu for Bindu Bibo and the South African ball juggler gave Rollers the lead.
Motsholetsi Sikele, who was giving Gunners a hard time on the right, launched another attack and outpaced a defender before setting up Mogorosi.
Mogorosi also unselfishly laid the ball to Matsabu who calmly finished the move off. From a rare attack by Gunners in the second half, they were awarded a corner kick.
From the corner kick, Rollers caught Gunners through a counter attack and Lemponye Tshireletso found himself at the end of the move and brilliantly finished off to take the game beyond Gunners’ reach. The second half onslaught was concluded by Sikele who wrapped up his brilliant afternoon with a good goal towards the end of the match.
“I think we started well and we were on the front foot. The game plan was to wait a little bit and prolong the game as much as we could and wait for our chance. Indeed it came, earlier than we expected and we took it. We played with so much ease now and had we been precise in the final third in the first half, we could have gone to recess with more than one goal,” Gunners caretaker coach, Pontsho Moloi said.
He said in the second half they were pressurised on the right and just when he was to rectify that with a substitute, his goalkeeper picked up an injury and had to be replaced.
The teams:
Rollers: Kgosipula, Sikele, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Gaolaolwe, Ofentse Nato, Maano Ditshupo, Boy, Tshireletso (Ivan Ntege), Orebonye, Bibo (Matsabu), Mogorosi (Gape Mohutsiwa)
Gunners: Mibise (Thomas Manyelela), Katlego Mothibi, Kebalepile, Desire Bafana, Tendai Kesekile, Obonye Moswate, Kudzanani Machadzani, Mosimanegape Ntwaetsile, Pako Moloi (Lungisani Fanyana), Ogomoditse Sitang, Masibusani Zongo (Baokeditswe Talane)
Cautions: Kesekile, Mogorosi, Gaolaolwe
Dismissal: Machadzani
Rollers 4 (Mogorosi 52nd, Matsabu 84th, Tshireletso 86th, Sikele 90th)
Gunners 1 (Kebalepile 3th)