Popa trailed for most of the contest after Daniel Montshiwa’s 14th minute strike put Systems a goal to the good,; only for second half substitute Terry Uiseb to level matters for Rollers with nine minutes left.

Systems settled first and gave Rollers a challenge throughout, but after taking time to settle in a scrappy first half, Popa eventually carved out enough chances to earn a point.

TEAM NEWS

Rollers head coach Sérgio gave youngsters Philip Kaku and Thapelo Balatlheng a place in the starting line up.

Line Up: Maphakela, Lesole, Gaolaolwe, Mathumo, Ratanang, Serameng, Kaku (Moremi 46), Gcumeni (Ngele 65), Balatlheng (Boy 46), Gaseitsewe (Uiseb 65), Molebatsi (Moalosi 65)

THE MATCH

Security Systems were clearly determined to attack from the onset; and they fired the first shot as early as the third minute- Tawana Mbakile hitting the side netting.

Rollers’ left back Onkarabile “Lefty” Ratanang then hit the post with a fifth minute free kick from just outside the box.

The Blues conceded in the 14th minute when Montshiwa struck a low shot from just within the box.

As Rollers sought the equaliser, a well struck Tlhalefo Molebatsi shot hit the crossbar in the 27th minute.

Rollers started to circulate the ball well in the middle, while trying to get right back Jackson Lesole to play in crosses from the right attacking channel on the overlap. But Popa struggled to get enough balls into the box in a lacklustre first half.

In the 41st minute Systems’ Molaodi Tlhalefang found himself unmarked in the Rollers’ penalty area but shot wide.

At half time, Sérgio brought on Segolame Boy and Lobopo Moremi for teenagers Thapelo Balatlheng and Philip Kaku.

Rollers had a more energetic attacking play in the second half.

Five minutes into the second period, Mosha Gaolaolwe advanced towards the Systems penalty area, and released a pass to Morgan Gaseitsewe whose effort went over the bar.

Rollers goalie Kabelo Maphakela saved at the feet of Systems’ Takunda Sadiki in the 53rd minute in the Blues’ danger zone.

Two minutes later, Lesole squared a low ball into the box, locating Molebatsi in acres of space; but the Blues’ forward saw his shot balloon over the bar.

In the 65th minute, Sérgio rung further changes; Terry Uiseb, Tsotso Ngele and Edwin Moalosi replacing Gaseitsewe, Shaun Gcumeni and Molebatsi.

As Popa pushed numbers forward seeking the equaliser, Systems also looked for gaps in the Blues’defensive limes in transition play.

The Rollers rearguard put bodies on the line in the 72nd minute to block conservative shots during a Systems attack; the lively Lesole blocking the last two shots before clearing his lines.

On the other end, Boy saw his attempt blocked by the Systems backline out for a corner kick in the 76th minute.

Rollers were back level five minutes later. Two second half substitutes combined in the 81st minute; Ngele releasing a brilliant pass to Namibian forward Uiseb who struck well to take the scoreline to 1-1.

Rollers tried to seek the winning goal but it ended all square at one apiece. The Blues will now prepare for a trip to Francistown to face Eleven Angels next weekend.

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