Township Rollers seem to have eventually found a winning formula for perennial arch rivals, Mochudi Centre Chiefs, after walloping them 3-2 during the Mascom Top Eight tournament on Monday at the National Stadium. Centre Chiefs have for years been a thorn in the flesh of Township Rollers and the best results for the latter have been draws. But the past two weeks saw Rollers emerging victorious much to the delight of their vociferous supporters.
The victory on Monday follows the 2-1 during the league encounter last weekend. Chiefs were the ones that drew blood first through their reliable striker, Bonolo Fraser. It did not take five minutes before Rollers equalised through their Namibian international, Jerome Louis who is rising with every match since joining the team at the beginning of the season.
After the scores drew level, the match was closely contested but Chiefs defence was caught napping often. The duo of veteran defenders, Tshepo Motlhabankwe and Michael Mogaladi had problems containing the speedy runs from Rollers players like, Sekhana Koko, Motsholetsi Sikele, Kobamelo Kebaikanye and even Louis.
It was not surprising as they kept on committing so many mistakes. The game went for recess with both teams still tied a goal apiece and Chiefs started the second half like a house on fire, surging forward in their numbers.
Their torrent attacks paid off in the 50 min when Lesego Galenamothale scored a beautiful curling ball from outside the 18th area which gave Rollers goalie, Mwampule Masule, no chance.
Rollers in turn fought like wounded buffaloes searching for an equalizer but Chiefs easily thwarted them. The substitution of Gofaone Tiro for Zimbabwean international William Kupera brought livewire to Rollers and Centre Chiefs back peddled for most of the time.
Rollers pulled one back from Louis after also a beautiful goal. He fired a thunderbolt from outside the box that left Chiefs goalie Raphael Nthwane sprawling on the turf.
It did not even take three minutes for Rollers to take the lead via hardworking horse, Koko, who cut through the right wing and shot to score the third while sandwiched between two defenders.
Koko send Rollers supporters who went on wild celebrations. The victory by Rollers is even sweeter for coach, Madinda Ndlovu, who also joined the team at the beginning of the season from Centre Chiefs. While at Chiefs he won two back to back League championships and is looking forward to do the same with his new team.
Both teams will meet on November 29 for the second leg and the winner will proceed to the semi-finals.
Rollers trounce Chiefs again
