Double Action reign faces challenge
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday March 16, 2024 06:00
Double Action has cantered to victories unchallenged since the abolition of the Super League in 2016, with the formation of the Regional Leagues. Before the dismantling of the Super League, Double Action had interchanged the women's top spot with, amongst others, Township Rollers and Prisons XI.
The Star Stripes have, however, been a class above its competitors, as they remained consistent to date.
The team has competed in the Gaborone Region Women's Division One League since the competition got into full motion in 2022.
The team has had an uninterrupted reign since winning the regional league title and also winning the national championship playoffs, the DTC Botswana Top 8, and the Top 4 titles. On two occasions, the team finished in the semi-finals of the CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA region qualifiers and in 2023 recorded their best finish with a runner-up spot after a final loss to continental champions, Mamelodi Sundowns. Last year, Double Action was just 90 minutes away from becoming the first local team to compete in the Champions League finals.
The team had managed to attract the country's top talents making it the most appealing women's football team. In this campaign, the team faces a mountain-high task to reclaim their glory. They find themselves in an unfamiliar second spot as the league reaches midway. Double Action sit two points behind leaders, Systems.
The team has, however, played one game less than the Alarm Girls and two ahead of third-placed GU who have 13 points. In the previous weekend, they played to a 1-1 draw against The Reds, thanks to a very late equaliser from Oteng Bonang. The team's head coach, William 'Raizor' Monene hinted that they could have the most difficult of the campaigns, as they have not been active in the market as compared to their title rivals. To conclude the first round of fixtures, Double Action play Systems in what is a must-win tie for the Star Stripes in an attempt to keep their title hopes alive.
GU have a slight advantage of having played two games less than the leaders and could ascend to the top with 19 points, one ahead of Systems. The Reds have looked a much better side since gaining promotion to Division One at the start of the 2023 season. GU have been the busiest, with major coups in the transfer market.
GU signed the Mares' attacker, Keitumetse 'Ben 10' Dithebe, Lone Gaofetoge, and Annah Sechane in the previous campaign as they finished second to Double Action. The capture of Nancy Baeletsi and last season's top goal-scorer, Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse ahead of this campaign echoed GU's lofty ambitions. Systems on the other hand were tipped to play bride maids to GU and Double Action, but the team has exceeded expectations. The team has experienced recruits in Bame Ngenda from BDF XI and a trio of Maatla Tlhobogang, Masego Koboto, and Thapelo Moshe from GU to help their course.
The three title challengers are in action this weekend. Tomorrow morning, GU clash with Prisons at Lekidi West Grounds at 9am. Double Action face off against UB Kicks at 4pm at the Lekidi West Grounds. On Sunday, after a 10-0 midweek defeat, struggling Big Sisters take on Mazottie FC at 9am at Lekidi West Grounds before Systems face FC Ambassadors at 4:30pm at Lekidi East.