Tight call as BPL hits halfway mark
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday February 18, 2023 06:00
The Reds had looked untouchable since the start of the 2022-2023 Botswana Premier League (BPL) but their form has taken a slight dip allowing Jwaneng Galaxy to catch up.
The two sides are level on points at the top of the BPL standings with Galaxy in second place due to an inferior goal difference. They have been the best teams post the COVID-19 era and are set to go head-to-head for this season's honours once again.
The Reds were off to a flyer as in the first 10 games they only dropped points once and that was against city rivals, Township Rollers. In the last five games of the first round, the Reds have only won twice making it their worst run this season.
GU hitting the speed bump has allowed Galaxy to draw level. The Galaxy Stars remain unbeaten this campaign after hitting a rich vein of form. A 7-0 win over Prisons XI at the end of the first round was a statement to their title rivals.
The team had a poor start to the campaign but has recovered well to draw level on points with GU. In third place, Orapa United is chasing by three points. The Ostriches are unbeaten under new coach, Taurai Mangwiro.
The resurgence in form by the attacking duo of Omaatla Kebatho and Lemogang Maswena has breathed life into United’s title charge. The two attackers have scored 23 of United’s 34 goals this campaign. Record league champions, Rollers are fourth and nine points behind the leaders. Popa are not having the best of seasons and a run of mixed results cannot keep them in touch with the challengers.
Masitaoka have proven the success story of the first round as they sit at sixth. The team has the youngest squad in the league and defied the odds as they find themselves inside the top eight, a place behind Security Systems.
At the root of the top eight brackets are Nico United and Sua Flamingoes. The two teams face a mammoth task to retain their places as they are level on 18 points with ninth and 10th-placed BDF XI and Police XI. Holy Ghost are fresh from a maiden elite league win but have lost head coach Botshelo ‘Observer’ Pelokgosi to Jwaneng Galaxy women's team this week.
The Holy Boys are placed bottom with just seven points. They are joined by Extension Gunners and Prisons as Mogoditshane Fighters and Morupule Wanderers are two and four points away from the relegation zone, respectively. The second round of league games will kick off tomorrow as Eleven Angels and Fighters square off at the Francistown Stadium while Orapa United take on BDF XI at the Itekeng Stadium. Nico United welcome Police XI at the Sam Sono Stadium. Systems will look to halt GU at the National Stadium.
Gunners take the long journey to the Sowa Town Council Stadium where Flamingoes lie in wait. On Sunday afternoon, Masitaoka and Prisons XI battle for maximum points at the Otse Stadium. Galaxy are away to Wanderers at the Serowe Sports Complex. The games will kick off at 4pm.