|
 At the UB Stadium on Saturday, it will be a battle of former Super League sides and giants, as Gaborone United, Township Rollers, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Jwaneng Comets try to come back to top flight soccer. Already Rollers and Chiefs have emerged as favourites to get promotion. This is how they may fare:
Township Rollers
Mapalastina are favourites to come tops, something that might prove to be a burden. Rollers have a number of talented players who will be hoping to stamp their authority and claim their lost pride. The team has prepared well for the games, given that they won the Orange Kabelano Charity Cup at the end of July. In addition, coach Banks Panene has instilled discipline in his boys since taking charge last year. According to team captain, Noah Kareng, their preparations have gone well and they are waiting eagerly for the weekend matches. After losing a case at the National Appeals Board (NAB) on Monday, Kareng says life has to go on. Rollers lodged a complaint at the end of last season, after their title rivals Gabane Santos were awarded soft points to win the Southern First Division and automatic promotion to the Super League, now renamed Premier League. When the play-offs get underway, they will have to do without new recruits Denis Kaelo, James Tshekedi and Tintos Raditsebe. The trio will not take part in the games because they only signed for Rollers after the completion of last league season. According to Botswana Football Association (BFA), all players who were not at the clubs at the end of the season are not eligible for the play-offs. Rollers will miss Tshekedi who has brought shape to their defence after joining from Centre Chiefs. His absence from the games might however not worry Panene because he has alternatives. Kgomane Mothuba, Losika Moeng, Thebeetsile Raditsebe, Tirelo Makolo and Cecil Mosojane are some of the defenders that Panene can rely on. Winning their first game against Comets will be very important, especially because GU and Chiefs are giants in their own right. Key players: Gabalathege Thammano, Tshepiso Molwantwa, Moemedi Moatlhaping, Lesego Moeng and Kareng.
Gaborone United
When they crashed out of the Coca Cola Cup at the early stages, GU explained that their fall was due to the fact that their real focus is on the play-offs. The right time has come and the Reds will have to show that their “deliberate” Coca Cola debacle was worthwhile. Their supporters have lost patience and need the club back in the elite league. Some people feel that GU has stayed for too long in the lower ranks and has lost respect. It remains to be seen how the Reds will cope after the departure of two of their key midfielders Denis Kaelo and Safie Sibisibi. While the former has joined traditional rivals Rollers, Sibisibi headed for Tafic where he had a couple of good matches. Many pundits say that the Reds game against Rollers on Saturday afternoon will decide their fate in the play-offs.
Key players: Elijah Phiriepa, Aron Tabolane and Badiri Sesiro.
Centre Chiefs
After their 1994 demotion, Chiefs are thought to have learnt a lesson. But how mistaken. Chiefs might find the going tough during the play-offs because of administrative squabbles. Magosi are fighting for dear life, despite the fact that they have a number of seasoned cup winning players. Their opening game against GU on Saturday morning will be very important because if they falter, the expected comeback will prove an uphill battle. On Sunday at the National Stadium, Magosi will wrap up their games with a tough battle against rivals, Rollers. In their last meeting, Rollers sent Chiefs tumbling out of the 2003 World Group Independence Cup and the Mochudi side will be looking forward to settling scores. Having found his footing, Kitso Kowa will definitely be their main man. In a friendly encounter against Cosmos Blizzards last weekend, Kowa ran riot and scored a hat-trick. Key players; Kowa, Pele Matlapeng, Othusitse Pilane, Fred Pheko, Shono Bogatsu, Tebogo Letsomane and Joseph Maposa.
Jwaneng Comets
They were shocked when they were relegated after thought they were safe. Comets will surely fight hard to retain their position in the elite league but it might not be easy. Comets restored their lost pride by beating Gabane Santos and Extension Gunners and winning the recent one-day Cell City tournament.
Key players: Godfrey Makgarapa, Emmanuel Bentu, Shana Rasefako and Bobo Motlhalane.
|
