Rollers break Police jinx in style

Township Rollers has sent bitter rivals Police XI packing out of the Mascom Top 8 “Tse Di Tona” season 6, with an emphatic 2-0 drubbing Monday evening at the national stadium.

Rollers came into the game with a one goal lead against Police XI from their previous encounter at Francistown Sports Complex in the first leg. The encounter was more of a repeat of the 2015/2016 match, when the two teams battled for a spot in the Semi-Finals which was eventually won by Mapalastina. The game began on a very high note. Both teams kept the goal posts occupied and it was evident that Police XI was pushing for a net opening goal. The Jungle Kings created beautiful attempts and chances however their finishing and last touches betrayed them.

Mapalastina on the other hand kept a hawk’s eye watch and kept testing the waters as well as making attempts to put out the Jungle Kings fire. The game went into half time with a tight score of 0-0. In the first two minutes of the second half, veteran Lemponye Tshireletso caught the Jungle Kings off-guard when he scored one for Mapalastina thanks to a brilliant cross from Joel Mogorosi that found Tshireletso well positioned to finish it off.

Police XI momentum went down and that gave Rollers an opportunity to take control of the game. Ingenious Rollers Coach Mark Harrison fastened his belt and pulled out Kekaikantswe Mara Moloi for Ewdin Moalosi. The pressure became unbearable for the Jungle Kings and thus gave way for Moalosi to score a calm, easy and collected second goal for Mapalastina, thus placing the game even further from Police.Police tried to recollect but in vain, their long ball crosses were not helpful and it was clear that Mapalastina were now dominating the game.

Commenting after the game, Police XI Coach Maitumelo Letlaamoreng said he believed his team played well and he will now be shifting focus to BTC Premiership League.Letlaamoreng said his game plan was to score first and equalise but unfortunately that did not happen. “If luck is on my side, maybe I will face off with Rollers again”.

For his part Harrison said his team did not play satisfactorily in the first half however he is satisfied with the results. “We are through to the semi- final, that is what matters. We are ready to face off with any team” he said. Township Rollers now joins the defending champions Orapa United, BDF XI and Jwaneng Galaxy in the semi-finals.  The official draw will be conducted on January 10th 2017.