In honour of 'Boboza'

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Friday April 3, 2009 00:00

The army side host lowly-placed Dinoko at 3.30pm on Sunday. BDF XI coach, Stanley Mwaanga said yesterday that they have to win the game for Thobega. 'It will be a good farewell for him. It has been difficult to prepare for this game but we have to go out there and perform,' he said. He explained that BDF XI struggled against Nico United last weekend because they had just heard of Thobega's death. Mwaanga said he has tried this week to prepare his charges for the Naughty Boys' game. Third-placed BDF XI should not have problems in white-washing their opponents who are struggling at the bottom of the log. Winning the game will keep BDF XI in the title race with log leaders Gaborone United (GU) and Mochudi Centre Chiefs.

Mwaanga is wary of Naughty Boys despite their lowly position on the log. 'It is always difficult to prepare for a lowly placed team. We will be cautious and give them the necessary respect,' he said.

While BDF XI welcomes back Nelson 'Viola' Gabolwelwe, Jones Kwape and Thatayotlhe Gaokgorwe, captain Patrick Motsepe will miss the match because of flu. Motsepe has been their star so far this season with match-winning performances in the middle of the pack alongside veteran Masego 'Abedi' Ntshingane. The striking pair of Peter Ngwenya and Lemponye Tshireletso should surely give Dinoko a torrid afternoon. Since joining BDF XI at the start of the season, Tshireletso has banged goals with ease.

Naughty Boys have only registered one victory and two draws to date, leaving them with a paltry five points. This has not gone down well with supporters who have put pressure on coach Moeteledi Chaenda to deliver. While Chaenda believes that they can pull a surprise and escape relegation, Dinoko seem doomed.

The narrow 5-4 loss to GU a fortnight ago has brought some hope to supporters that all is not lost. But things fell apart again last weekend when they were hammered 4-1 by ECCO City Greens. For the BDF XI match, Under-20 goalkeeper Basimanebotlhe 'Cheeseboy' Moilwa is expected to return to the starting line-up after suspension. In his absence, Aobakwe Oagile has been far from impressive and the return of the Young Zebras' goalkeeper is welcome. Key striker, Galefetoge 'Dilo-Dilo' Kenaope will prove crucial but might find breaking BDF XI rearguard of Mompati Thuma and Ernest Amos very difficult. Efforts to get a comment from Chaenda proved fruitless as he avoided Mmegi Sport.