The Blues went a goal down after conceding an unfortunate Jackson Lesole own goal 21 minutes from time.

But Popa, who fought gallantly throughout, equalised 11 minutes from the end through captain Simisani Mathumo before fellow Popa long time servant Moalosi got the winner right at the death.

TEAM NEWS

Sergio Traguil made five changes to the line up that faced BDF XI the week before.

Line Up: Maphakela, Lesole, Mathumo, Gaolaolwe, Ratanang, Wetshoemang, (Moalosi 78), Serameng, Elias (Boy 78), Gcumeni, Uiseb (Ngubo 89), Gaseitsewe (Ngele 46)

THE MATCH

Rollers came battle ready against an Orapa side riding on the crest of a ten game unbeaten spree.

Popa were quick off the blocks; forwards Morgan Gaseitsewe and Terry Uiseb forcing Orapa United goalkeeper Lesenya Malapela into making early saves in the first two minutes.

The game was played at a frenetic pace from the start as the two sides went at each other.

Kabelo Maphakela in the Rollers goal made a brilliant one handed save to parry out an Orapa attempt in the 11th minute and once more made an acrobatic save from the resultant corner.

Five minutes later, Maphakela used his feet to block a shot by Orapa forward Omaatla Kebatho.

On the other end, Gaseitsewe was well positioned in the box but saw his effort going agonisingly wide.

Maphakela made a couple of other good saves before the break, his Orapa counterpart Lesenya Malapela also tipping over a free kick curled in by Onkarabile Ratanang.

Tsotso Ngele, who replaced Gaseitsewe at half time saw his half volley blocked out by Malapela around the hour mark.

Soon after, Ngele and Shaun Gcumeni opened up the Orapa defence with some sublime one two interchange passes, but on a one on one with the opposing goalie, Gcumeni saw his attempt blocked by Malapela.

Orapa then took the lead, Lesole unable to do much about a low cross deep into the Rollers danger zone; the Popa full back’s outstretched leg sliding the ball into his own net.

As Rollers sought the equaliser, Ngele located an overlapping Mathumo in the box but with just the keeper to beat, the Popa captain saw his effort go wide.

But, minutes later, Mathumo would make amends with some captain’s heroics, nodding in to cancel the deficit in the 79th minute.

At 1-1, Rollers kept pushing for victory.

Second half substitute Segolame Boy saw his low side pass deep in the box cut out for a corner by the Orapa rearguard, before Ratanang’s corner kick found Ngele at the far post, only for his shot to rattle the side netting.

Barely eight minutes after being substituted, Mbatshi Elias on the Rollers bench was red carded by referee Joshua Bondo on the advice of fourth official Tshepo Gobagoba.

There was still time for Moalosi winning goal heroics. On the very last seconds of the five minutes regulation period allocated, Moalosi struck a powerful shot that rattled Malapela’s net.

2-1 to the Blues it ended, sending Rollers supporters into a frenzy.

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