Forest, Chiefs headline season opener
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday October 9, 2021 06:00
However, the dusty grounds in the second tier football have attracted a reasonable following across the country. Those particular football fans were earlier this week thrown into some level of excitement after the First Division South (FDS) league released fixtures for the 2021-2022 football season. Former elite league campaigners, Black Forest and Mochudi Centre Chiefs will headline the opening weekend, with the season kick-off scheduled for November 13. The two teams are favourites for the automatic promotion slot. Magoleng will host Magosi at the Black Forest Arena in Mankgodi. Both sides, who bit the dust in the 2018-2019 season, will be playing their third consecutive season in the First Division.
Magoleng have shown their readiness off the field after penning a deal with local sports brand, URI Sports. The team will be motivated by the presence of attacking midfielder, Mogomotsi Kerebotswe who has retained the captaincy role. Kerebotswe is one of the longest-serving players at the Mankgodi-based club. Goalkeeper, Michael James will remain at the club. The shot-stopper was one of the best performing players in the team during their stay in the Premiership.
His performances then earned him a move to BDF XI where he stayed for a short period while he also received his first Zebras call up in 2017. There is also winger, Donald Botshoma who is expected to light up the division in the coming season. At Mochudi, Magosi have reinforced their ranks with the appointment of former Extension Gunners coach, Itumeleng 'Tumie' Duiker. The team has also acquired the services of former Township Rollers' defender Arnold Mampori, who returns to the club for a second stint.
Another former Rollers player in Remmington Masuku has joined the club alongside Khumoetsile Kufingwa while veteran Tshepo 'Talk-Talk' Motlhabankwe has come out of retirement to bolster the side. In the other games on the opening weekend of the FDS, newcomers Matebele FC welcome another promotion candidate, Uniao Flamengo Santos at Matebeleng Primary School grounds. Matebejana will visit Red Sparks at Tlokweng while Taung Young Fighters will take the long journey to Kgalagadi to meet newcomers, Motaung Young Fighters in Mabutsane. Holy Ghost will take on Tlokweng United at the Holy Ghost Park. Mochudi Rovers will be looking for a good start against Broadhurst United.