�and rough at the bottom
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday March 6, 2015 12:40
Letlapeng
Current position: 16
Number of points: 12
Remaining fixtures: Chiefs (home), Rollers (away), Notwane (home), BR Highlanders (away), Sankoyo (home), BDF XI (away), Nico United (away), ECCO (home), BMC (away)
Prospects: At this stage, Letlapeng are very much aware they are skating on thin ice. They have won only three games out of 21, only finding the back of the net 13 times. They have not been consistent, probably because of the high turnover of coaches in just one season.
Blessing Moyo has been roped in as the fourth coach already this season. Thaloba Nthaga and Daniel Nare resigned while Nelson Olebile was shown the door.
They have done relatively well in the last two matches, holding Police XI before beating Gunners. Their next three fixtures could be their toughest. They start with log leaders, Chiefs this weekend before they take on Rollers and high riding Notwane. They have signed young but experienced players including goalkeeper, Bobby Mathe and Kgosietsile Shadrack. They need to beat Chiefs, Rollers, Notwane and other relegation candidates to survive. Verdict: Going down
ECCO City Greens
Current position: 15
Number of points: 16
Remaining fixtures: Police XI (away), Gunners (home), Chiefs (home), Rollers (away), Notwane (home), BR Highlanders (away), Sankoyo (home), Letlapeng (away), Nico United (home)
Prospects: It is an unfamiliar situation for ECCO City Greens as it has never happened that they might fight relegation since they gained promotion to the elite league.
It is also a scary moment for Francistown residents who are still trying to deal with the fall of another Francistown side, TAFIC, last season.
This time last season, TAFIC were also facing the same situation and got no luck. ECCO now remain the only side from Francistown in the Premier League and face the same predicament.
Sixteen points out of 21 games is a reflection of their disastrous campaign this season. They have won only four games thus far, conceding the highest number of goals (41).
The team has been struggling financially since BMC stopped sponsoring and continues to struggle in attracting sponsors.
Veteran strikers, Malepa Bolelang and Zecco Makafiri’s experience will be vital in the remaining games. Verdict: Going down
BR Highlanders
Current position: 14
Number of points: 20
Remaining fixtures: Notwane (home), BDF XI (away), Sankoyo (away), Rollers (away), Letlapeng (home), Nico United (away), ECCO (home), BMC (away), Orapa United (home), Motlakase (away)
Prospects: The new comers have not been able to cope with the pace despite having been in this situation before just two seasons ago.
They have not been able to sign quality players who would push the team to greater heights, thus finding themselves in the same situation again.
Chances of survival are still very much alive considering that they have the same number of points as Nico United who are currently occupying position 13. Highlanders have a game in hand. They are just five points away from catching a team currently in position 10. However, they will need to turn things right away, but have limited options in terms of quality in the team. Verdict: Going down
Nico United
Current position: 13
Number of points: 20
Remaining fixtures: Gunners (home), Chiefs (away), Rollers (home), Notwane (away), BR Highlanders (home), Sankoyo (away), Letlapeng (home), BDF XI (away), ECCO (away)
Prospects: A very bad start to the season for Nico United compared to the previous campaigns. Nico have the right quality of players to survive, but have been performing badly since the start of the season. The arrival of Wesley Mondo now seems to be working wonders. They have not lost a match in four games. With the right attitude considering the quality of players they have, they can even push for a top eight finish. Verdict: Staying
FC Satmos
Current position: 12
Number of points: 21
Remaining games: Orapa United (home), Motlakase (away), BDF XI (home), Gaborone United (home), Police XI (away), Gunners (home), Chiefs (away), Rollers (home), Notwane (away)
Prospects: Like Nico United, Satmos had a bad start to the season and found themselves in danger. They seem to have picked and have been high scoring of late. In the last five games, they have scored 11 goals, hammering both ECCO and Letlapeng 4-0 each. They seem to be remaining with tough games, having to play Rollers, Chiefs, GU, Gunners and unpredictable Police XI. Verdict: Staying
Notwane
Current position: 11
Number of points: 22
Remaining fixtures: BR Highlanders (away), Sankoyo (home), Letlapeng (away), BDF XI (away), Nico United (home), ECCO (away), BMC (home), Orapa United (away), Motlakase (away), Satmos (home)
Prospects: The arrival of Zambian striker, Zebron Ndjovu is the reason behind Notwane’s sudden resurgence. He has scored three goals in three matches in Notwane colours. Notwane have been playing relatively well, but their main undoing have been converting chances.
Ndjovu seems a good solution to the problem, feeding off from Lemogang Maswena and Langa Mabuli’s creativity on the wings.
Notwane have also made a good signing in January when they brought in Amos Godirwang who has stabilised the midfield.
Verdict: Staying