Matebele begin Top 8 title defence
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Thursday October 30, 2014 16:02
Matebele won the competition last year after beating Township Rollers on penalties. The game had ended 1-1 in normal time. Matebele goalkeeper, Takudzwa Ndoro then saved Gofaone Tiro’s penalty during a shootout, handing BDF XI a title they missed narrowly the previous season when they fell 2-1 to Gaborone United (GU) in the final.
They now start the campaign against highly impressive Police XI who have proved their mettle in the league this season. Police XI will be playing in the tournament for the first time since its inception. Missing from action this year are BMC, Mogoditshane Fighters and ECCO City Greens who have been replaced by FC Satmos, Motlakase and Police XI. It will be the first time Police XI and BDF XI meet this season. Expectations are that both the first and the second leg matches will be exciting, considering that the two sides are neck to neck in the Premier League log. BDF XI are currently fourth with 18 points after nine games played. Police XI have also collected 18 points from nine matches and sit at position five. Both teams are level on goal difference.
Police XI started the season well under Maitumelo Lotlaamoreng while BDF XI stumbled in the early stages, putting coach, Elijah Chikwanda under pressure. However they have since recovered and look set to be among the favourites for both the Top 8 and league titles.
Defender, Ndiyapo Letsholathebe who spent two seasons at BDF XI will face the likes of Mokgathi Mokgathi for the first time since returning to Police XI at the beginning of the season. Letsholathebe lifted the title last season with Matebele and now eye winning it again with Police XI.
Both teams boast exciting attackers, which should make today’s duel interesting.
Besides Mokgathi, BDF XI have Kabelo Seakanyeng who can be very troublesome on the wings with his skill and speed. The main men for Police XI are Uyapo Seleka and Betsho Pius.
In other quarterfinals games billed for the weekend, Township Rollers will be away to Motlakase Power Dynamos in Serowe tomorrow night. FC Satmos will take on GU in Selebi- Phikwe on Saturday afternoon before Nico United host Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the same venue on Sunday.