Focus on new faces at Kabelano Cup
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday July 24, 2015 13:32
Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Sankoyo Bush Bucks kick-start the one-day tournament at 10am in the first semi-final of the day.
Defending champions, Rollers will then take on Extension Gunners immediately after to determine who goes to the final later in the day.
Last year’s edition saw two young and then new signings, Ayanda Molefe and Segolame Boy taking the tournament by storm.
Molefe, who had just joined Chiefs from Uniao Flamengo Santos, tormented Gaborone United in the semi-final and scored one of the goals.
He went on to open the score line against Township Rollers in the final despite his side losing on penalties in the end.
Molefe then played the first few games of the season, but disappeared with senior players at Chiefs dominating the squad.
He scored the only goal in the final when Chiefs beat Jwaneng Galaxy in a tournament last weekend in Serowe and will be hoping to re-launch his once promising career.
Boy, on the other hand, was coming from Miscellaneous and had a brilliant debut as a Rollers player. He scored two goals when Rollers routed Gunners 7-1 in the other semi-final. He has since established himself as one of the key players in the Rollers squad and has also impressed national team selectors.
As it is the norm, the participating teams will once again be expected to use the tournament to showcase new players as well as try new combinations ahead of the season.
Although the transfer window is still open, the participating teams have made several new signings. Rollers have already released their squad that will take part in the tournament.
Among the new faces in the squad are Mogogi Gabonamong, Modiredi Matengu and Carl Finnigan.
They have also included Vincent Lekorwe from their development side. Matengu was signed from Sankoyo last week where he was pillar at the heart of the defence.
Rollers are also expected to tie a deal with midfielder, Galagwe Moyana. On the bench, there is a new coach in Mark Harrison who replaced Madinda Ndlovu.
Gunners’ line-up is likely to include Tshegofatso Chimuku who has since joined the Peleng team from the relegated side, Letlapeng.
Gunners, who have been tight-lipped about new signings, could also tie deals with the likes of Amos Godirwang and Boitshoko Zikhale who played for Notwane and BMC respectively.
Mapantsula also have a new coach in Pio Paul. Both Rollers and Gunners have been meeting in the semi-finals of this competition for the past two editions.
The last edition saw Rollers humiliate Gunners 7-1 in a one-sided match. Gunners will definitely be looking for revenge under Paul who took over the reins as head coach recently following the departure of Calvin Petersen.
Chiefs like Rollers have been busy on the transfer market and continue to be linked with several players ahead of the annual tournament.
They have already signed the likes of Jackie Mothatego, Mpho Kgaswane (defender) and national Under-20 player, Thatayaone Ramatlapeng. They are also closing in on Patrick Kaunda who was on the score sheet when they played in a four-team tournament in Serowe last weekend.
They come up against a team that has just lost its leader in Matengu who has joined Rollers. They have also lost their striker, Omaatla Kebatho who has since moved to South Africa. Making their maiden appearance in the tournament, Sankoyo will however be no pushovers as evidenced by their performance in the league last season.
Goalkeeper, Basimanebotlhe Moilwa is expected to use his experience to guide from the back following the departure of Matengu.
The final kicks off at 5.15pm.