Township Rollers welcomed back their Zambian head coach, Wesley Mondo, in style when they white-washed hapless Mogoditshane Fighters 6-0 in a Be MOBILE Premier League game played at UB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.┬á Mondo has been absent from Rollers’ bench for three weeks while attending to his sick wife in Zambia, a situation which has caused confusion on their bench.
When he trotted into the university stadium on the day, clad in light blue and black trousers, Rollers’ supporters gave him a huge applause. Most of the supporters were relieved to see their gaffer back in control of the team and his players also responded in a positive manner, sending their opponents to the cleaners.┬á
At the end of the game, Mondo was full of smiles as he walked back to the dressing rooms. ┬áThe win has put Rollers’ title defence back on track as they are sitting on fifth spot with 15 points, four points less than log leaders Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
“It was overwhelming to receive that kind of reception because it shows that people appreciate you. The other thing is that the attitude of the boys on the day was very good. Sometimes playing the smaller teams can be difficult,” said Mondo.
The Zambian coach believes that after they collected 10 points from four games, their defence for the league title is on track.
“We’re back in the title defence and our game against Nico will determine our future. All we need to do right now is to maintain consistency,” he added.
After a slow start to their title defence, Rollers appear like an oiled-machine having scored 10 goals in their last two games. This weekend, they face a rejuvenated Nico United in a game which is likely to test their character. Nico United are currently placed second on the log, tied with Chiefs on 19 points.
Newly-signed Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele and Onalethata Tshekiso each grabbed a brace with the other goals coming from Sekhana ‘Nandos’ Koko and Mweuku Musonda.
It was Koko’s eighth goal of the season and he shares the same sentiments with the coach that they need to maintain consistency.
“The return of the coach gave us an extra-motivation and we had to win it for him. Our prayers have been with him as he was attending to his wife and we were happy to see him back,” said Koko who netted the third goal on the day.
Meanwhile, log leaders Chiefs were lucky to leave Molepolole Sports Complex with a point after they were dominated by Gaborone United (GU) the entire 90 minutes on Saturday.
Chiefs came into the game as firm favourites but GU came out with guns blazing.
The Reds opened the scoring midway through the first half from a brilliant header by Ronald Chikomo. With GU heading for a sweet victory, Joel Mogorosi spoiled the party when he equalised right at the death of time.
In week nine, Chiefs play host to struggling Great North Tigers and are likely to remain top of the standings for some time.
The rest of the results are as follows:
Nico United 3 (Master Masitara, Oduetse Rakoma, Khumoetsile Kufigwa)  TAFIC 1 (Wadza Seleka)
Police XI 3 (Betsho Pius, Richard Mwanza, Simon Hakama) Notwane 2 (Lemogang Maswena 2)
Great North Tigers 0 BMC 1 (Lesego Lubinda)
FC Satmos 1 (Thomas Mukhethiwa) ECCO City 4 (Emmanuel Nlu, Gosaitse Manuel 2, Lesego Tafa)
Extension Gunners 3 (Ofentse Mmipi 2, Kgololo Leteane) Flamengo Santos 0
Miscellaneous 0 BDF XI 1 (Lemponye Tshireletso)
