For some this will be a chance to impress Zebras coach, Veselin Jelusic to get a place in the national team. Mmegi Sport takes a look at some of the stars who will be on show tomorrow.
Fighters’ goalkeeper, Anthony Matengu has won many cups before and knows what to expect from this game. His main advantage is his height which makes him deal with crosses quite confidently. Matengu has been an understudy to some of the best goalkeepers to come out of this country including his opposite number tomorrow, Modiri Marumo.
This will be a chance for him to prove a point to those who believe that he has gone past his good days. He remains coach David Bright’s main man.
Another notable player in the Fighters’ team is hard tackling defender Mompati Thuma. He is currently the best uncapped defender in the Premier League. He is a good man-marker and never tries to put himself under unnecessary pressure by being stylish.
Tomorrow he will have a tough task trying to deal with the hard-running Mpho Mabogo. The only problem that Thuma has is that sometimes his tackles can be mistimed and against the best strikers, he might be punished.
Then there is Charles Mositwane, midfielder who is highly underrated by many people. He carries his duties well when defending and attacking and always keeps his opponents busy.
“Foro” will be looking forward to grabbing his fourth Coca Cola Cup gold medal after winning it in 1999, 2000 and 2003. A burden lies on the shoulders of former BDF XI striker Patrick Sunday. Since arriving at Fighters, Sunday has been a marvel to watch.
His two headers tossed out Township Rollers at the quarters, before he played a major role in the exit of FC Satmos in the semis. How he will cope against his former teammates in a cup final remains to be seen.
On the other hand, BDF XI alias Matebele have a number of stars who can ensure that they take the trophy for the second time since its inception in 1993. Matebele last won the cup in 1998. Here are some of the key men in the BDF XI line up.
Modiri Marumo is one goalkeeper who has seen it all during his playing days both at club and national level. But still, there are people who doubt his leadership skills. This week he told Mmegi Sport that he wants to win the Coke Cup badly. He is a most humble goalkeeper and at his best, he can be a tough proposition to any striker.
Donald Thobega is a former Fighters captain and guided the team to victory last year against Rollers in the Coke Cup. But this time around, he will be manning the defence of Matebele against the players who were his teammates not so long ago. Thobega will surely want to thank coach Stanley Tshosane for showing confidence in his abilities.
Then there is Nelson ‘Viola” Gabolwelwe. There is no doubt that whenever the Tsetsebjwe-born left winger is on song, BDF XI are unstoppable. He was in a class of his own during the Coke Cup semi-final against Notwane. He capped his brilliant play with a classic goal.
Tshosane hopes that he will be in fine form tomorrow.
Mpho Mabogo has proved to be the most reliable striker at BDF XI. He has managed to win games for his team in the past when many people had written him off. His strength is his ability to take on defenders and shoot at goal. He is likely to be man-marked by Thuma tomorrow.
The game starts at 3pm and tickets are selling at P15 and P10 for the grand and open stands respectively. Those who come early will benefit from the happy hour between 10-11am when entry to the stadium is free. Entertainment will be provided by local artists Vee, Kast and BDF bands from Thebephatswa, Francistown and Mogoditshane.
