Rollers, Chiefs clash again
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday November 29, 2013 16:17
The two have met twice in a space of a month already with Rollers coming out tops on both occasions. They meet again today at the UB Stadium in what is likely to be a thrilling duel as Chiefs try to seek revenge against their tormentors.
What seemed to be Chiefs’ sure march to a third title was rudely brought to a halt by Rollers which ended Magosi’s unbeaten run in a 2-1 win. Ever since the defeat, Chiefs have struggled to return to form and duly lost the first leg of the Mascom Top 8 3-2 to Rollers. Therefore, Rollers go into tonight’s match with the advantage of an away win.
Under Madinda Ndlovu, Chiefs have been a hoodoo side for Rollers in the past few seasons. But this seems to have changed since the coach crossed over to Rollers for a second spell. Ndlovu knows Chiefs in and out, having won the league back to back with them before joining Rollers at the end of last season.
Meanwhile, two influential players who missed the last two encounters between the two sides, Maano Ditshupo for Rollers and Pontsho Moloi for Chiefs will be available.
They missed the games because of suspensions and are likely to play a big role tonight but all eyes are likely to be on two lethal strikers, Jerome Louis for Rollers and Bonolo Fraizer for Chiefs.
Louis scored a brace in the first leg with the other goal coming from Sekhana Koko.
Fraizer had opened the scoring for Magosi in that encounter before Louis equalised. The second goal for Magosi came from exciting midfielder, Lesego Galenamotlhale. Chiefs’ coach, Dragojlo Stanojlovic has been under immense pressure from the supporters after a string of losses.
Another defeat at the hands of Rollers could further strain relations between him and the national champions. Although they have denied it, Chiefs’ bosses are said to be unhappy with the performance of the team and are looking for a new coach.
In other Mascom Top 8 matches, Extension Gunners host Nico United at New Lobatse Stadium tomorrow. The game starts at 3:30 pm. Nico won the first leg 1-0 in Selebi Phikwe.
It is likely to be another tight encounter with Gunners rising from slumber after Thabo Motang took over as caretaker coach. Gaborone United (GU) will take on ECCO City Greens on Sunday at Molepolole Sports Complex. ECCO are facing an uphill task after losing 3-0 at home in the first leg. BDF XI and BMC will meet on Monday in the last match of the round.