Township Rollers lose

Sport
BOTSWANA’S be Mobile League champions Township Rollers got a crucial away goal in the Caf Champions League despite losing 1-2 to Kaizer Chiefs in the first leg preliminary round first leg tie at FNB Stadium in South Africa on Saturday night.

BOTSWANA’S be Mobile League champions Township Rollers got a crucial away goal in the Caf Champions League despite losing 1-2 to Kaizer Chiefs in the first leg preliminary round first leg tie at FNB Stadium in South Africa on Saturday night.

SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER

The away goal could prove to be helpful for Rollers depending on the outcome of the return leg to be played in Botswana in a fortnight.

“We have a well-earned away goal to play for at home. Rollers shall now welcome the South African giants Kaizer Chiefs courteously with all respect and dignity to Gaborone on the February 28 for the return leg, after a mouthwatering clash played today (Saturday) in Johannesburg,” said Rollers on their official social network Facebook page.

Mathew Rusike broke the deadlock five minutes into the match for Amakhosi before Tefu Mashamaite scored with a header in three minutes of optional time to give the South African giants the win, albeit a stuttering performance at home.

Segolame Boy had equalised for Township Rollers in the 47th minute snatching the all-important away goal that could prove handy for the Madinda Ndlovu-coached Rollers.

Ndlovu, however, remained upbeat despite the loss saying lapse of concentration led them to concede the second goal, but said Rollers had done their homework and now knew who Kaizer Chiefs were ahead of the second leg.

Rollers assistant coaches Teenage Mpote and Zimbabwean Zachariah Mudzadzi were in charge of the team in the Botswana league ahead of the Champions League tie as head coach Ndlovu was attending a Caf A licence coaching course in Harare.

In the reverse fixture, Township Rollers will bank on home advantage to upset Kaizer Chiefs.

According to media reports in Botswana, a total of 524 supporters registered with the club for the weekend trip to Johannesburg to rally behind their team.

Eight luxury buses along with two mini-buses from Gaborone ferried the Township Rollers fans.

Meanwhile, after successive losses in the be Mobile League, Township Rollers will be hoping that the return of Ndlovu will mark a change of fortunes.

Rollers lost to Ndlovu’s former club Mochudi Centre Chiefs 0-1 on January 31 and 0-2 to BDF XI on Friday last week.

The Botswana champions had lost 0-1 to Police XI on January 17 before Ndlovu left for Harare to complete the coaching course whose first phase was held from December 9 to December 22 2014.

Rollers meet Notwane FC in a league match at National Stadium in Gaborone on Wednesday.

The champions need to win the match to pile pressure on log leaders Mochudi Centre Chiefs and reclaim top spot.

Centre Chiefs are top with 41 points from 19 games while Rollers trail by a point with the same number of games.