Gods seem to be smiling on Township Rollers. The team looks set to emulate the 2005 feat when, against all odds, they won both the league championship and lucrative Coca Cola cup.
Before the weekend matches, Rollers had stretched their league championships to eleven points after defeating Police XI by two goals without reply.
What can be taken note of on the victory against Police XI is that Rollers have collected six points from the former.
Police XI are also a team that, for several years, gave Rollers a tough time and a victory could be a signal of good things to come for the club.
Teams that are breathing down Rollers necks have now to triple their efforts because any point lost would be suicidal.
Teams that are currently chasing Rollers are Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Extension Gunners, Uniao Flamengo Santos and Ecco City Green. Mathematically, all four teams behind Rollers have a chance because an average of eight matches is left and that could be enough to topple Rollers, if Rollers relax too much.
Rollers are also in the semi-finals of this year’s Coca-Cola tournament and the last time they reached that stage was in 2005 when they finally win the Cup, coming from the from the First division.
In the semi-finals, Rollers will be playing Mogoditshane Fighters and a lot will be at stake.
Fighters defeated Rollers in the finals of the 2003 tournament by a solitary goal, courtesy of Mompati Banda, at the National Stadium.
They also eliminated Rollers in the last 16 during last year’s tournament and are now threatening Rollers’ legacy that Rollers in the tournament.
Rollers won the tournament four times, more than any other team, but Fighters have won it three times, meaning that if they can go all the way to the finals and win, they would equal Rollers’ record.
In regards to the league, Rollers are also the most successful team and if they finally win the league championship, they would set an almost unbreakable record.
The last time they won the league was in 2005. What can also be noted is that when Rollers won the double in 2005, they had a terrific playmaker by the name of Phenyo Mongala who is now playing for a South African side, Orlando Pirates.
This year they also have another terrific player in the midfield and he can change the complexion of the game at any stage.
Edwin Moalosi, just like Mongala, is not afraid of taking on the defenders.
In 2005, when Rollers were spitting fire, they were under the tutelage of a local coach, the late Banks Panene, while currently they are under Zimbabwean Rahman Gumbo.
However, it is not going to be an easy path for Gumbo. He did not have it easy last year and he nearly got the chop.
The team started well only to falter when it mattered the most and Gaborone United ended up winning it.
Rollers also have a goal poacher in front, Terrence Mandaza, who seems to have found his scoring boots. This year Rollers are the most scoring team, something that was not the case in previous seasons.
