Township Rollers and Gaborone United played to a one all draw in a league encounter at the UB Stadium on Sunday.
Fireworks were expected out of the long awaited derby and that’s what football lovers got.
The clash, which was played to a near full capacity of the stadium, had attracted many football fanatics from all corners of the country, with Magosi supporters in attendance to support Gaborone United (GU), as a win would have brought the team closer to the Be Mobile title.
Extension Gunners fans had also hoped and wished for the same. However, all were disappointed when Rollers’ prayers were answered eight minutes before full time.
From the start of the game, Rollers seemed to have an upper hand over their archrivals who are struggling to defend their title. From time to time Rollers’ forwards had frequented GU’s defense, with the newly recruited Mpho Mabogo giving commendable play, a sign that he might be establishing himself well in his new team.
Mabogo landed at GU from Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
Rollers had good chances of securing an early lead when Joel Mogorosi created a brilliant cross for Edwin Moalosi who failed to convert. For a while Rollers kept its fans entertained and hopeful.
However, tables turned when Ofentse Nato, at a moment least expected by many, scored in the 20th minute.
The second half saw Mapalastina, as Rollers are affectionately known by their fans, desperately fighting for an equaliser but were persistently denied goal opportunities by GU’s defense that was in full attendance on the day. GU’s Bosarutweng “Boosta” Magola was, as usual, a force to reckon with as he matted Rollers game plan with hard tackles.
Many commentators and football analysts believed he deserved to be sent off the field for his rough marking, however, he surprised many as he walked away as Man of the Match.
Ten minutes into the second half saw the introduction of Stephen Maposa, who nearly gave GU a second and third goal. However, he failed to convert both shots as the other one went wild while the other was brilliantly saved by youthful Rollers goalie, Tebogo Dambe. 
GU was to regret their wasted opportunities when Edwin Moalosi came to the rescue of his side, equalizing at the 82nd minute of the match.
Moalosi’s goal sparked fireworks as both teams fought for a leading goal, but time had already elapsed just when more drama began to unfold.
Each team pocketed a point home.
Township Roller’s coach, Rahman Gumbo, blamed his boys’ wrong attitude for not winning the game, saying, “Today players had the wrong attitude. They thought they would win easily.”
On why he could not substitute Rollers’ ‘goal machine’, Terrence Mandaza, who on the day was not at his best, Gumbo reasoned that Mandaza was unpredictable as he can change the game when least expected, as witnessed by the goal he created for Moalosi.
