Drained GU face upbeat Rollers
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Wednesday February 19, 2014 16:21
The winner will face BDF XI that has already qualified after knocking out Nico United a fortnight ago. Kick off is 7:00 pm.
Moyagoleele have lost their last two matches against Supersport United in the CAF Confederation Cup. That was followed by the suspension of coach, David Bright ahead of a crucial match against Rollers.
Bright was in charge when GU beat the odds and won the same competition last season, knocking out Rollers in the semi finals before beating BDF XI in the final.
Assistant coach, George Mogopodi will be at the helm tonight on an interim basis as GU attempts to reverse the score line.
A lot has happened in the GU camp this season. First, Moemedi Moatlhaping was put on the transfer list, as he was no longer in the coach’s plans for the season.
He was later taken off the transfer list but did not travel with the team to Pretoria when they faced Supersport United in the first leg of the Confederation Cup. He was left out of the team because of ‘personal problems’.
Moatlhaping however, played the whole game in the return leg with Ronald Chikomo dropping to the bench.
There was also Gobonyeone Selefa saga ahead of the first leg against Supersport United. The media was told the player had no passport and was dropped from the travelling team.
But it appeared at the same press briefing that there was more to the story as the player had initially indicated that he was not ready to face Supersport.
The suspension of coach, Bright, now comes at a time when some of Moyagoleele supporters are aware that all is not well within their team.
GU lost 2-1 at home in the first leg against Rollers. Motsholetsi Sikele and Leutlwetse Tshireletso scored for Rollers while Tebogo Sembowa was on target for GU.
They are forced to score two goals without reply in order to progress to the final.
They face a side, which has not played an official match in two weeks. While this could also work for them (GU), there are fears that fatigue could finally catch up with them against a team whose main strength is running at their opponents.
The two matches against Supersport United were physically and mentally engaging but GU have enough depth to make changes into their starting line up.
Chikomo who has been a pillar for many years played for less than 45 minutes against Supersport and is expected to be in good shape tonight.
Defender, Gaopatwe Seosenyeng sat the whole match on the bench while attacking midfielder, Jackie Mothatego was introduced in the second half.
Rollers’ last official match was against Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the league two weeks ago. They are expected to have psychological advantage following the recent events taking place at GU but lack of match fitness could work against them.
Namibian striker, Jerome Louis, who is the current leading goal scorer in the competition with three goals, will once again lead the attack. His striker partner, Manqoba Ngwenya missed the first leg through suspension and is expected to play as a target man.