GU, Double Action clash as women's league heats up
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday March 9, 2024 07:11
The tie was supposed to be played in early February but was rescheduled as the two sides had contributed a combined 15 players to the Mares side that travelled for friendly matches in Turkey.
Sparks are expected to fly in the biggest game of the Gaborone Region Women's Division One League (GACFA).
Holders, Double Action, has dominated the scene for more than a decade now. However, GU are an emerging force since their resurgence in 2022. The Reds Ladies irked their rivals at the start of the season with the signing of Mares' forward, Ontlametse Gaonyadiwe from Double Action. GU reportedly dangled a bigger carrot for the leading scorer in Mares' WAFCON qualification. Double Action could not keep last season's 25-goal forward who joined the Reds as a marquee signing. She will for the first time, face the team she has played for, for more than five years.
A goal on debut against Security Systems was an indication she has settled well in the Reds dressing room. Laone Moloi has proven to be an exciting recruit for the Reds in her debut season. The forward leads the goal-scoring charts with seven in just four games. The Reds have an abundance of attacking talent with Keitumetse Dithebe and Kelebogile Magaga at head coach, Stephen Maposa's disposal.
The duo scored a combined 23 goals in 14 league games. GU are second on the log but level on points with Double Action who sit third and the teams have accumulated 12 points each. The two teams are three points behind leaders, Systems who sit on 15 points but have played a game more.
The reigning champions, Double Action are also unbeaten ahead of the weekend's tie.
Double Action will be wary of the Reds' threat as they lost for the first time to their weekend opponents in a GACFA Cup semi-final late last year. Despite the departure of Gaonyadiwe, the team looks solid this season. Leungo Senwelo is a key player in the squad with four goals thus far in the campaign.
Double Action are a tough nut to crack, as they are yet to concede this season. In other games, FC Ambassadors take on Prisons XI at the Lekidi East at 4pm. On Sunday morning, Systems take on struggling Big Sisters at the Lekidi East at 9am before UB Kicks and Mazzotie FC clash at 4pm at the Lekidi West.