Orapa unrelenting as Chiefs close in
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday March 24, 2015 18:00
Surprise package, Orapa United hung on to Chiefs’ coattails, dismissing Gaborone United 3-0 in their backyard.
Township Rollers, meanwhile made repair works to their damaged title pursuit with a 3-1 romp over rock bottom, Letlapeng on Sunday to stay within seven points of the leaders.
Rollers’ chase had been dented by a shock 3-1 loss to BR Highlanders in midweek.
Chiefs, that breathed a sigh of relief last week Thursday when Letlapeng’s appeal over the use of Pontsho Moloi was thrown out, took full advantage to stretch their lead to nine points with a battling win over Nico on Friday.
However, Orapa trimmed the advantage back to six points with a vital win that certainly nudged GU out of the title race.
GU fell to fifth, swapping places with inconsistent BDF XI that moved to fourth with a narrow 1-0 win over Rollers’ recent conquers, BR Highlanders.
The army side is 11points behind and realistically out of the championship picture.
But, it is Orapa United with the most captivating run of the season, sending their supporters into dreamland.
United, born out of the merger of Orapa-based sides, has confounded critics and made their 3-0 demolition of GU an even bolder statement of intent.
The Maxwell ‘Malume’ Moyo-coached side has adopted a business-like approach, plucking points even in tough situations.
Their fans would be forgiven for finding themselves in seventh heaven and dreaming about a first ever title for the Boteti Sub-District.
While Chiefs are favourites to pick up the P1million first prize money, at the bottom it is a see- saw affair, with only Letlapeng a safe bet for the drop.
Any team from Notwane in 10th place with 27 points can go down. ECCO City Greens, sitting just above Letlapeng on 17 points appear another strong candidate for relegation.
The league takes a break this weekend due to the international date.
The Botswana Football Association (BFA) has decided to take full advantage of the FIFA date to slot in two friendly matches for the Zebras against Lesotho on Wednesday and Mozambique on Sunday.
League action resumes next week Monday with a flurry of fixtures, which would see most teams play two games in a space of seven days.