Tight at the top...
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday March 6, 2015 12:31
Mochudi Centre Chiefs
Current Position: 1
Number of points: 47
Remaining fixtures: Letlapeng (away), Nico United (home), ECCO City Greens (away), BMC (away), Orapa United (home), Motlakase Power Dynamos (away), FC Satmos, (home), Gaborone United (away), Police XI (home)
Prospects: The leaders are ahead with a margin of six points and are the in-form team of 2015 having collected 13 from a possible 15 since the turn of the year.
In the process, they have scored 10 while conceding five. To their advantage, they seem to pick at the right time having thumped title contenders, Township Rollers and BDF XI.
Their tougher opponents appear to be Gaborone United (GU) and Orapa United, while the rest of the remaining opponents are in the bottom half of the log. Experienced players such as Pontsho Moloi, Raphael Nthwane and Onalethata Tshekiso who have been in the same situation before and the guidance of seasoned coach, Mike Sithole who have won the title previously, Magosi is the team one may want to put their money on. Prediction: Champions
Orapa United
Current Position: 2
Number of points: 41
Remaining fixtures: Satmos (away), Gaborone United (home), Police Xi(away), Extension Gunners(Home), Centre Chiefs( away), Township Rollers(home), Notwane( home), BR Highlanders( away), Sankoyo Bush Bucks(home)
Prospects: Last season’s debutants having been performing like seasoned campaigners under veteran coach Maxwell ‘Malume’ Moyo.
They have a tougher journey as compared to other contenders as they face Chiefs, GU and Rollers in their remaining fixtures. However, this can be an advantage to them as they play most of their games at home.
The Ostriches have been playing good attacking football and have not been shy in front of goals having banged 10 goals in their last five games. Experienced players, Emmanuel Nlu and Patrick Lenyeletse will be vital in the team’s title push. Prediction: 3rd position
Township Rollers
Current Position: 3
Number of points: 40
Remaining fixtures: Sankoyo Bush Bucks (away), Letlapeng (home), Nico United (away), ECCO City Greens (home), BMC (away), Orapa United (away) Motlakase (home), Satmos (away), BR highlanders (home), Gaborone United (home)
Prospects: When the Premier League went for the Christmas break, it appeared the title was in the bag, but 2015 has presented a different challenge with the defending champions having only won once in three league matches.
Now that Madinda Ndlovu’s troops are out of the CAF Champions League they can shift their attention to the league. Popa have a tougher assignment on the road as they visit tricky opponents Sankoyo Bush Bucks, Nico United and Orapa United who all have a good record this season while playing at home. But, with the mixture of experienced players and young talent in the Mapalastina camp, they are still considered to have a chance at the title. They also have a game in hand. Verdict: Runners up
Gaborone United
Current position: 4
Number of points: 38
Remaining fixtures: BMC (home), Orapa United (away), Motlakase (home), Satmos (away), BDF XI (home), Police XI (home), Extension Gunners (away), Chiefs (home), Township Rollers (away)
Prospects: Gaborone United with no doubt have the toughest assignment, as they are to face all the league contenders. It is somehow advantageous for Moyagoleele because they have a chance to take points from their rivals, thus increasing their own title chances. The Reds will play most of their games in the south, which will reduce travelling. They seem to struggle against smaller opponents, but can rise to the occasion on any day. The team has a lot of talented young players who will need the guidance of Rahman Gumbo, so they do not crack in the crucial run-in. They have collected 10 points from their last five games. Prediction: 5th position
BDF XI
Current position: 5
Number of points: 37
Remaining fixtures: Motlakase (away), BR Highlanders (home), Satmos (away), Sankoyo Bush Bucks (home), Gaborone United (away), Letlapeng (home), Police XI (away), Nico United (home), Notwane (home), Extension Gunners (away)
Prospects: Matebele have proven they can fight for the league title, but they were unlucky when they lost six points last season, which cruelly relegated them to second place.
Just like Rollers, the army boys are out of the CAF competition and have a game in hand. Having to play teams that are in mid-table, BDF XI still has a chance despite being 10 points adrift. They have won three of their last five. The guidance of experienced captain, Mompati Thuma and coach Letang Kgengwenyane will be vital in the team’s quest for the title. Prediction:
4th position