Rollers eye perfect run as pressure mounts on Chinyemba
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday September 12, 2025 06:00
It is early days, but the table is gradually separating the hunters and the hunted, with a head coach said to be facing the dreaded axe. Elias Chinyemba is a man under fire after a poor start to life with Orapa United. His side faces Township Rollers, who put their unbeaten run on the line against Chinyemba's Orapa United, who are in a desperate search for their first win of the season. The two teams square off in the Itekeng Stadium on Saturday in a 4 pm kick-off. Rollers have made a blistering start, winning all three games, scoring six and conceding just twice. They look every bit like a team chasing back their old dominance. But their opponents are on the opposite lane. Orapa United have collected just a single point, throwing Chinyemba under the microscope. The tactician, who arrived with the shine of last season’s Coach of the Year award after his exploits with TAFIC, has struggled to steady the Ostriches.
The home fans will demand a reaction against the record league champions. A positive result could ease the pressure, but another defeat may deepen questions around his reign. Orapa faces the third-best attack this season after letting in four goals in the first three. The struggling side is yet to open its season account and would hope the international break could turn fortunes around in the diamond mining town. Elsewhere on Friday at 6 pm, Mochudi Centre Chiefs host Santa Green at the National Stadium, whilst Calendar Stars meet Nico United at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium. Both games feature sides desperate to climb out of the bottom half. On Saturday, defending champions Jwaneng Galaxy head to Francistown for a tricky tie against TAFIC FC at the Francistown Stadium at 4 pm. Galaxy have been ruthless, scoring seven without conceding, while TAFIC are unbeaten at home this season. The Jwaneng side tops the charts and would want to make the place their own in the early stages of the championship. Gaborone United (GU) will expect to keep pace at the top when they face Police XI at the National Stadium at 6 pm. Moyagoleele boasts the division’s best attack with eight goals in three outings, whilst the Jungle Kings are winless and hanging near the relegation line. BDF XI should fancy their chances against bottom-placed Morupule Wanderers at the VTM Arena at 4 pm. Wanderers have already leaked 11 goals, which is the worst record in the league.
They are miles behind a team that handed the club its best-ever campaign in the 2024–2025 season. At the Lobatse Sports Complex at 4 pm, Sua Flamingoes put their 100% start to the test against a struggling Extension Gunners, while in Tlokweng, Black Lions continue their search for their first point when they face Matebele FC at the Royal Aria Stadium, also at 4 pm.