Chippa Legodimo
6 July 2009
ECCO City Greens and Township Rollers played to a 0-0 draw in front of a paltry crowd at Molepolole Sports Complex on Saturday.
Despite failing to hit the back of the net, the two former champions gave the few supporters who braved the chilly weather a good game of football. While Rollers boasted good technique and individual skill, ECCO relied on team work and quick short passes.
Both teams' strikers were clearly not up to the task. Onalethata Tshekiso and Terrence Mandaza for Rollers lacked the killer instinct to finish the many chances created by Thapelo 'Pepe' Balepi and Edwin Olerile.
For ECCO, Malepa Bolelang and Mandlenkosi 'Sukunyetsa' Sibanda took too long to pull the trigger when they found themselves in good positions away from the attention of the Rollers' defence. Kabelo Dambe's good form between the posts played a big role in thwarting the ECCO forwards. Six minutes into the game, Sibanda beat Kgomari Mothuba for pace on the right and laid a perfect low pass to an unmarked Malepa who delayed to allow Tymothy Phiri to clear the danger. But just as the Rollers' fans were 'thanking' their gods, Mothuba committed another defensive error but Malepa once again failed to take advantage.
Rollers were to catch their opponents on the counter in the 11th minute with Thebe Maiketso the mastermind. But the former BMC winger had too many touches on the ball and Ontse Ntesa recovered from his early mistake to clear in front of his goalkeeper Michael Onkutlule.
With their supporters screaming for goals, Rollers continued to harass their opponents. Mandaza beat Ntesa in the 13th minute but his low cross from the right went to waste as fellow striker Tshekiso was too casual to cause any damage. In the first 25 minutes, it was clear Rollers were in charge especially in the middle of the pack where Tebogo Mothusi and Balepi were making life difficult for Nicholas Matlhare and company. In the 24th minute, Balepi outpaced the defence on the left but Onkutlule came out bravely to thwart him. Four minutes later, the winger once again caught ECCO on the counter sending a long ball to Mandaza who was just metres from Onkutlule. But the striker's chest trap let him down as it created a 50-50 chance between him and the goalkeeper and the ECCO custodian proved his mettle once again averting danger when his defence was nowhere to protect him.
Rollers were forced to bring in Lesego Molemogi in the 34th minute after defender Obuile Nceba was rushed to hospital following a clash of heads with Bolelang.
The two sides continued to attack each other after the break in search of a goal but in vain. Fans were treated to an interesting fast paced game with Rollers proving their superiority in technique while ECCO were dangerous on counter-attack.
The introduction of the skilful Edwin Moalosi gave some spice to the game. The nibble-footed youngster did not waste time pushing Trinity Nko to the limit but the ECCO defender recovered admirably and his tenacious tackling often forced Moalosi to pass the ball instead of trying his tricks. Bolelang's first clear-cut chance came in the 66th minute but his powerful shot was saved by the on-form Dambe.
With the clock ticking fast and ECCO charging at his players with arrogance, Rollers' coach Rahman Gumbo pulled off Tshekiso for Aubrey Kebonetse in the 75th minute but Mamojadiskie were unrelenting.
The last five minutes were trying moments for Rollers' defence as ECCO mounted a furious challenge to get a late winner. Dambe was forced to make three saves in the dying minutes as Rollers' fans stood in anxiety waiting for referee Dintwa Dintwa to blow for full time.
In other matches on Saturday, Boteti Young Fighters steered clear of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win over Tafic while Nico United's good form continued with a 2-0 victory against Police XI.
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