Mpote led Rollers to a nervy 2-1 win over Nico United in an FNB Premiership tie played at the Royal Aria Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Rollers have been heavily affected by injuries this season and have thus far failed to have a full squad since the start of the season. The recent Zebras camp also had an impact on the Mpote's selection over the weekend. Popa have, however, remained in chase as they sit third and just three points behind the leaders. Over the weekend, Rollers had gotten off to a blistering start against visiting Majombolo. They were 2-0 up in the first 30 minutes but had to endure majority of the tie on the back foot. Lemogang Maswena gave Rollers the lead with a well placed lowly struck effort on the 18th minute.
The winger turned provider on the 27th minute as he squeezed a pass in for Christopher Lemme who had only the goalkeeper to beat and he made it 2-0 for the Blues. After the goals, the visitors launched an onslaught into Rollers' area and were rewarded on the 40th minute when Gaamangwe Sethibe tapped in a cross from the left to pull one back just before the break. Majombolo took grip of the game and unleashed several attacks on Rollers in their own backyard. The visitors, however missed, a glorious chance to make it level when Ronald Kaunda failed to find the target from the spot just after the hour mark. The home side held on to bag the maximum points on the day.
Speaking to SportMonitor after the win, Mpote said his side allowed Nico to get back into the tie as the midfield became defensive after the two-goal lead. He, however, said despite nearly losing maximum points in the dying minutes for the second time this season after the Matebele tie, his side will keep on grinding the results until they are back to be a competitive side. He said his philosophy is gradually being absorbed by the squad and the team cannot afford to drop points even if it means doing so in an ugly fashion. “When you score, the team you are facing will want to equalise, now the question is do you resist? But when you have loopholes, then the team will keep on pressurising. I do not have a problem with that as long as we come out with three points because I am working on fixing this team and along we will have a team that will compete,” said Mpote
The teams
Rollers: Kabelo Dambe, Phillip Kaku (Mosha Gaolaolwe), Simisane Mathumo, Simon Bapaletswe, Kago Monyake, Mothusi Cooper, Tapiwa Nyamanjiva, Ambrosius Amseb (Segolame Boy), Mbatshi Elias (Godfrey Tauyatswala), Lemogang Maswena (Obonwe Maome), Christopher Lemme (Djo Ntwambe)
Nico: Gaolatlhe Tshupegetso, Stephane Mothwalo, Kenosi Semako, Botshelo Motsheja, Basiamisi Sebapalo, Seabe Toteng, Moabi Phuthego (Cleopas Kapupurika), Kamogelo Mpahlele (Oratile Mogatusi), Gaamangwe Sethibe, Tinashe Makanda, Ronald Kaunda
Cautions: Sebapalo, Ratanang
Rollers 2 (Maswena 19th, Lemme 27th) Nico 1 (Sethibe 40th)
