The Blues finally got their revenge over their weekend opponents as Systems knocked out Rollers in the competition last season. It was a very tense opening 10 minutes as both sides looked eager to be the first to get on the ball. On the 11th minute, Daniel Montshiwa went for goal from just outside the box but the Rollers goalkeeper dealt with the attempt with ease. Two minutes later, Mwampule Masule was forced to come out of his area to deny Jackson Lesole. The former was once again called into action on the 20th minute to save Segolame Boy's attempt as the tie heated up. Both sides had fair chances in front of goal but could not get an opener. Masule had to come off his line once again to deny Tlhalefo Molebatsi on a one-on-one encounter on the 36th minute. The teams went into the break tied at 0-0.
Just four minutes into the second half, Tebogo Kopelang set up Molaodi Tlhalefang who connected well to give his side a lead. Popa responded swiftly just seven minutes later as Simisane Mathumo headed in Mogakolodi Ngele’s free kick. The skipper came close again with yet another headed effort but this time it went just over the bar on the 62nd minute. A few minutes later, Masule showed good reflexes to deny Tshireletso from close range before Letlhogonolo Chenjela’s effort was dealt with by Kabelo Maphakela on the other end. Rollers’ head coach Sergio Traquil was sent to the stands for confronting the match officials.
Popa’s efforts were rewarded with just five minutes to the end of the match with Ngele providing another assist. He put in a telling cross for Tshireletso who tucked in from close range. Rollers held onto the goal advantage and sailed into the last four of the competition. “It was a good game of football; it was good for the supporter. It is good for the sponsor but I am not happy with the chances we missed. We missed a lot of chances in the first half and Rollers were always ahead of us, they were getting the ball first. But overall I think it was a good match,” Systems’ Kaelo Kaelo said.
The teams:
Systems: Mwampule Masule, Quinton Mokoka (Bokang Rathipana), Daniel Montshiwa, Tebogo Kopelang, Bophelo Macheng, Walter Sande (Tawana Mbakile), Takunda Sadiki (Odirile Lekoba), Thato Ogopotse, Poloko Nkalolang, Molaodi Tlhalefang, Letlhogonolo Chenjela (Kenanao Kgetholetsile)
Rollers: Kabelo Maphakela, Jackson Lesole, Simisane Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Lemponye Tshireletso, Thabo Wetshoemang, Phenyo Serameng, Segolame Boy, Lebopo Moremi (Edwin Moalosi), Mogakolodi Ngele, Tlhalefo Molebatsi (Morgan Gaseitsiwe) Cautions: Sande, Mokoka Dismissal: Traquil
Systems 1 (Tlhalefang 49th) Rollers 2 (Mathumo 56th, Tshireletso 85th)
