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Township Rollers defeated Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in a preseason friendly at Gaborone’s National Stadium on Saturday, thanks to a late goal by Thabo Rakhale.
Rakhale, a former Orlando Pirates dribbling wizard, scored the game-winning goal on 79 minutes, punishing a flat Amakhosi team that had more than enough chances to win handily.
After featuring several new acquisitions in another international friendly against Tanzania’s Young Africans, Chiefs new coach Molefi Ntseki reintroduced some of the old players to the starting lineup against Rollers.
Yanga defeated Chiefs by the same scoreline in Tanzania.
The only newcomers in the starting lineup were Edson Castillo and Thatayaone Dithlokwe of Botswana.
Rakhale, trickster Tsepo “Skhwama” Matete, Shaun Gcumeni, and Siphamandla Sangweni were among the South African players on the Botswana Premier League giants’ roster.
Chiefs played with a bit of aggression against Rollers compared to when they faced Yanga a week ago.
Amakhosi dominated the play in the opening half and created a host of opportunities for players such as Saile, Mdududzi Shabalala, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Kamohelo Mahlatsi.
However, it was their final touch in the opponents’ box that let them down. Credit must also go to the Botswana side for how they defended against fast-paced Chiefs attackers.
Rollers also had a couple of chances including a well taken shot by Godfrey Tauyatswala which was parried away for a corner by goalkeeper Brando Petersen.
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The introduction of Rakhale, Matete and other Rollers players in the second half boosted the performance of the hosts as they began to be more dangerous in their attacks.
Rakhale broke the tie by defeating Bruce Bvuma, who took over for Petersen in the final stanza.
Chiefs will now focus on the DStv Premiership opener against Chippa United on Sunday, August 6, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
