Tshepo Molwane
14 October 2008
It has finally happened. A fired-up Township Rollers ended Mochudi Centre Chiefs' 31-match unbeaten run on Sunday in a deeply humiliating 4-1 wallop. Mapalastina embarrassed hapless Magosi in an electrifying and action-packed game at the National Stadium on Sunday night.
Before the game, few gave Rollers a chance of gunning down the national champions - le alone running away with an impressive 4-1 victory. The last time Rollers beat Chiefs was two years ago in the Coca-Cola Cup quarter-final and the weekend's victory must have been very sweet to Popa fans. It was even made sweeter by the fact that it broke Chiefs' unbeaten record that had eluded many clubs including Rollers.
Backed by their colourful supporters who attended the game in large numbers, Rollers attacked Chiefs from the onset and showed the champions little respect. Mohamed Chawila made an impressive debut and his combination with Terrence Mandaza made life very difficult for Chiefs' defence. The two front-men proved a handful with their pace and skill.
On the wings, Rollers' captain Thapelo 'Pepe' Balepi and Joel '16' Mogorosi tormented Aaron Kale and Tshepo 'Talk-Talk' Motlhabankwe with pace. This was not helped by the fact that Motlhabankwe and Gobonyeone 'Shoes' Selefa looked tired after playing for the national team the previous day. Selefa should have been pulled out early in the game as he was a big liability.
By the fourth minute, Rollers made their intentions clear when Mogorosi slipped through Chiefs' defence but with only goalkeeper Noah Maposa to beat, he surprisingly shot wide.
With their vociferous supporters behind them, Rollers continued to raid Chiefs and it was only a matter of time before they could get a goal.
Mapalastina were finally rewarded in the 20th minute when Motlhabankwe brought down Balepi down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Mogorosi easily beat Maposa in goal to send thousands of Rollers' supporters into wild celebrations. But the celebrations did not last long as Chiefs responded in the 28th minute through Mpho 'Jomo' Mabogo who capitalised on Jomo Mgadla's incompetent defending to easily beat Rollers' goalkeeper Anthony Matengu and put his side back in the game.
In the absence of suspended captain Pontsho 'Piro' Moloi, Chiefs lacked a leader and creativity. Though most Chiefs' fans do not want to admit it, their team is like headless chicken without Moloi.
Rollers shot in the lead once again in the 40th minute when Chawila beat a cluster of defenders to torment Maposa. Though the goalkeeper made a save from the initial effort from Chawila, his defenders were caught ball watching allowing the Rollers' man to sweep in the rebound.
The stumbling Chiefs were rocked once again on the stroke of halftime when Mandaza opened his account in Rollers' colours. The striker twisted and turned in the six-yard box before slotting the ball past Maposa. At the break, Rollers were comfortably leading 3-1 and their supporters were confident that their side would score more goals after the re-start. Most of them were seen on their mobile-phones talking to their friends and apparently informing them that they were on the verge of breaking Chiefs' unbeaten record.
Chiefs' attempt to reduce the deficit after the break failed as Rollers' defence manned by Kgomari Mothuba and Boitumelo Mafoko was in an uncompromising mood. In the 53rd minute, the outstanding Anthony Matengu pulled a spectacular save from Oteng Moalosi's snap shot from outside the box. The game continued to swing from one end to another with Rollers threatening to score in the 82nd minute, but Maposa did well to parry substitute Monageng Thaele's shot away for a corner.
Mapalastina completed the routing in the 86th minute when Mandaza tapped home after Maposa failed to deal with substitute Edwin Moalosi's low shot from the right. The celebrations that followed were deafening as Chiefs' supporters watched in stunned disbelief. Chiefs were awarded a penalty on the stroke of full-time by referee Lekgotla Johannes but Matengu saved from Sekhana 'Nandos' Koko to complete a miserable day for the champions. After the game, Chiefs' supporters tried to keep a brave face and erupted into song and dance. In the tunnel, Chiefs' chairman Ernest Molome waited for his players and told them not to despair. But it was obvious that he was deeply affected by the loss. Rollers' managing director Somerest Gobuiwang, walked tall as everyone congratulated him for a job well done.
Rollers' coach Rahman Gumbo said it was a tough game looking at the kind of opponent he faced. "Our game plan worked because we managed to expose them. Though I am happy with the result, my boys have not started playing the kind of football I want. I believe there is more to come." Gumbo told Mmegi Sport that though many people believed that the game came too early, it was good to meet Chiefs at this stage so that the performance of his team can pick-up. Though they humiliated Chiefs, Gumbo has so much respect for the Kgatleng giants. "They are a balanced side and you cannot take anything away from them," he said.
Rollers' communications manager, Molatlhegi Mangole said it was through good preparations that they managed to outclass the national champions. "There is a lot of discipline and commitment in this team and it is paying-off. We have played Chiefs several times and we learnt a lot from them. We have picked their strengths and weaknesses. If you contain OT (Oteng Moalosi) and Jabu (Othusitse Pilane), you have cut their supply," he said.
Mangole pointed out that the absence of Moloi made their job easier because he is the Rollers' livewire. He paid tribute to Gumbo for changing the thinking of the players.
"Gumbo is a brilliant coach and the guys have responded well to his training methods. I believe there is more to come in this team," he said.
This is how the teams lined-up;
Rollers- Matengu, Mgadla, Edwin Olerile, Mothuba, Mafoko, Timothy Phiri, Mogorosi, Lesego Molemogi (Thaele), Mandaza, Chawila (Moalosi) and Balepi (Amos Godirwang).
Chiefs- Maposa, Michael Mogaladi, Aaron Kale (Elijah Phiriepa), Given Mpundu, Motlhabankwe, Selefa, Pilane, Koko, Moemedi Moatlhaping (Derrick Ntumbayi), Mabogo and Moalosi (Kekaetswe Moloi).
Cautions- Mafoko, Phiri and Matengu
Referee- Lekgotla Johannes
Assistant referees- Elijah Masitha and Tirelo Mositwane
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