Mqondisi Dube
8 April 2008
Gaborone — Ten-man Nico United continued with their impressive form when they edged out visiting Township Rollers 3-2 in an exciting Mascom Premier league match on Saturday. The win saw Majombolo move to ninth spot on the league to ease their relegation worries.
Nico are now on 29 points from 21 games but not safe from the dreaded axe. If the copper-nickel mining town side continues with its rich vein of form, then the fans can be rest assured that their side will be playing top-flight football next season.
This was the fourth consecutive win by Majombolo who dominated the first half though Rollers threatened to take the lead earlier on. Zambian striker, Bernard Semakwezi almost put the visitors ahead after seven minutes but his effort was narrowly wide. Nico recovered from the early scare and deservedly took the lead through their leading goal scorer, Master Masitara in the 14th minute. Masitara broke loose from the left and found himself with acres of spaces, before coolly firing past Lesego Moeng in goal for Rollers.
The enterprising Thebe Maiketso watched as in disbelief Nico goalkeeper, Murambiwa Ndlovu spilled and gathered his pile driver was in the 20th minute. As Rollers tried to get back into the game, speedy Joel '16V' Mogorosi missed a sitter from a free header.
Semakwezi should have levelled for Rollers in the 30th minute after getting to the end of a flowing move involving Mogorosi. However, the tall striker shot tamely at Ndlovu. The last chance of the first half fell to Thobo 'Fish' Kgoboge whose rasping shot from outside the box flew narrowly wide of Moeng's goal.
The second half began with Nico seeking a second goal and the home side was duly rewarded with a classy strike from Kgoboge in the 55th minute. The striker received a pass from Masitara and cheekily lobbed Moeng to spark wild celebrations from the strong crowd.
Thereafter, Rollers' supporters, who were the majority in the huge crowd, found their voices as their side completely overran the hosts in search for an equaliser. Thapelo 'Pepe' Balepi showed class when he came on as a second half substitute and gave the Nico defence headache. Edwin Moalosi also troubled the home defence with an assortment of tricks.
Waves of attacks were finally rewarded with a goal when Balepi pulled one back for Rollers. He received a cross from the right and easily fired past an exposed Ndlovu in the 71st minute. Then in a moment of madness, the Nico goalkeeper floored a Rollers' player as he tried to fetch the ball from the back of the net.
Ndlovu was given his marching orders and coach Madinda Ndlovu sacrificed Masitara to bring in substitute goalkeeper, Chrispen Nyamutambo. Rollers' used their numerical advantage and pressed forward for the equaliser. They laid siege to the Nico goal and were finally rewarded in the 84th minute when Semakwezi struck from a goalmouth melee.
With time running out and Rollers pressing for the kill, Kgoboge conjured magic in the 90th minute, weaving his way into the visitors' box until he was brought down and the referee pointed to the spot. Master Masiku coolly slotted home, sending Moeng in the wrong direction.
Some frustrated Rollers fans started throwing stones but security personnel quickly got the situation under control.
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