Spruced up Premiership explodes into life
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday August 7, 2015 14:07
Club: Mochudi Centre Chiefs
Established: 1972
Position last season: Champions
Players to watch: Kekaetswe Moloi, Lesego Galenamotlhale
Home colours: Black and white
Away Colours: White
Home ground: National Stadium
Coach: Mike Sithole
Mochudi Centre Chiefs know the pressure associated with being the defending champions and were able to win it back-to-back a few seasons back. Like last season, they have not been impressive in pre-season tournaments, losing out to Township Rollers in the Kabelano Charity Cup and to Extension Gunners in the Matebejana tournament. There are a few changes in the playing personnel with the likes of Mpho Kgaswane, Jackie Mothatego and goalkeeper, Edwin Mokibe arriving while Wilbroad Mutale, Ocean Mpofu and Bonolo Fraizer have left.
Club: Township Rollers
Established: 1961
Position last season: 3
Players to watch: Segolame Boy, Kobamelo Kebaikanye
Home colours: Blue and gold
Away Colours: Gold and blue
Home ground: National Stadium
Coach: Mark Harrison
All eyes will be on Rollers after making several and surprise acquisitions. Rollers have signed Kabelo Dambe, Mogogi Gabonamong and Galagwe Moyana. They are also said to be close to acquiring the services of Joel Mogorosi. Several players are expected to be released on loan. Pressure will be on new mentor, Harrison to come up with a winning combination with his contract at Rollers purely based on performance.
Club: Gaborone United
Established: 1967
Position last season: 4
Players to watch: Benson Shilongo, Goitseone Phoko
Home colours: Red
Away colours: White
Home ground: National Stadium
Coach: Rahman Gumbo
The Mascom Top 8 champions have also made several changes to their squad bringing in six new players. GU supporters are likely to expect nothing lesser than winning the league title. They last won the biggest domestic honour in 2009 and since then, they have watched rivals, Chiefs and Rollers exchange the title. It will be interesting to see how the addition of Dragojlo Stanojlovic to the technical team works out.
Club: BDF XI
Established: 1978
Position last season: 5
Players to watch: Kabelo Seakanyeng, Bonolo Phuduhudu
Home colours: Green and Red
Away Colours: White and Green
Home ground: SSKB Stadium
Coach: Beston Chambeshi
A lot has happened at BDF XI within a short space of time towards the end of the season. Letang Kgwengwenyane who was in charge for the better part of last season was relieved of his duties as the head coach with Louis Setshwane replacing him. But before they could even plan for this season, Setshwane was also shown the door and has since been replaced by former Chiefs’ coach, Beston Chambeshi. Several key players have also left among them midfielder, Thato Ogopotse who has joined GU. They have also released Master Masitara, Takudzwa Ndoro and Vincent Nzombe.
Club: Police XI
Established: 1978
Position last season: 6
Players to watch: Betsho Pius
Home colours: Maroon and gold
Away colours: Gold and maroon
Home ground: Otse Stadium
Coach: Maxwell Moyo
Not much has changed except that the team is now under the tutelage of Maxwell Moyo. He took over after leading Orapa United to a second place finish last season. Junior Lotlaamoreng who was in charge last season is now Moyo’s assistant. The team has been on a training camp in Zimbabwe.
Club: Nico United
Established: 1969
Position last season: 9
Players to watch: Onkabetse Makgantai
Home colours: Green and gold
Away colours: Gold
Home ground: Selebi-Phikwe Stadium
Coach: Wesley Mondo
For the first time in the last four years, Nico United struggled in the first round last season and ended up fighting relegation. They have so far been able to hold onto their key players among them Makgantai and Khumoetsile Kufigwa, who was recently linked with a move to Rollers.
Club: Extension Gunners
Established: 1962
Position last season: 7
Players to watch: Tshegofatso Chimuku, Mogomotsi Mokoka
Home colours: Black
Away colours: White
Home ground: New Lobatse Stadium
Coach: Keitumetse ‘Pio’ Paul
On paper, Gunners look set to challenge for honours this season. They have made several key signings including South Africa duo, Mokoka and Chimuku who have made immediate impressions. The arrival of Kagodi Odirile and Amos Godirwang has also boosted their midfield. With Moemedi Moatlhaping said to be back at the team, Gunners are equipped to challenge for silverware. Coach, Pio Paul has a point to prove and his intentions have already shown in pre-season with a win in the Matebejana cup.
Club: Orapa United
Established: 2010
Position last season: 2
Players to watch: Patrick Lenyeletse, Bonolo Fraizer
Home colours: Orange and white
Away colours: White
Home ground: Itekeng Stadium
Coach: Madinda Ndlovu
Following a good season, Orapa United will be under immense pressure to surpass or even match last season’s performance. Despite coach, Moyo’s departure, they are under the tutelage of another winner in Madinda Ndlovu. They have managed to keep top marksman, Hendrick Moyo whose move to GU failed. Their firepower has been boosted by the arrival of Bonolo Fraizer from Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
Club: Sankoyo Bush Bucks
Established: 1996
Position last season: 11
Players to watch: Morris Ruzivo
Home colours: Green
Away colours: White
Home ground: Maun Stadium
Coach: Gadimang Tiiso
In their debut appearance, Sankoyo had mixed fortunes last season. They did relatively well on the field of play and nearly finished in the top eight bracket, but were dealt a heavy blow because of administrative blunders which saw them being docked six points. The coming season might be tougher for them since they have lost not only the coach, but also several key players among them Modiredi Matengu and Omaatla Kebatho.
Club: Jwaneng Galaxy
Established: 2013
Position last season: Champions - First Division South
Players to watch: Boitumelo Mafoko, Tebogo Sembowa
Home colours: White and black
Away Colours: Black
Home ground: Jwaneng Galaxy Stadium
Coach: Oris Radipotsane
After dominating the First Division South last season, Galaxy will have to prove their mettle in the top-flight football against other star-studded sides. They have made good acquisitions with Tebogo Sembowa and Mmoloki Kafuko joining other established players like Tebogo Sosome, Boitumelo Mafoko and Musa Ohilwe among others. They have the personnel to stand the test of time.
Club: Gilport Lions
Position last season: 8
Players to watch: Boitumelo Sentle
Home colours: Orange
Away Colours: Orange and black
Home ground: Molepolole Sports Complex
Coach: Horatio Mahloane
Formerly BMC, Gilport Lions are likely to have a tough time this season. They had a very good start last season, but lost key players in the middle of the season. They managed to stay in the elite league after acquiring some players on loan. The players have since returned to their teams. Issues of late payments of players’ salaries have seen Lions failing to attract big name players this time around.
Club: BR Highlanders
Established: 1987
Position last season: 12
Players to watch: Agisanyang Ramaabya, Emmanuel Thakadu, and Boikobo Osupile
Home colours: White and blue
Away Colours: blue
Home ground: Serowe Sports Complex
Coach: Tebogo Mokute
BR Highlanders made a strong come back in the second round last season and nearly made it into the top eight despite being a relegation candidate early in the season.
They proved beyond reasonable doubt that they had a determined squad even though there are no big name players. Thakadu’s goals after his arrival from Orapa United in the middle of the season were vital. He remains a key player as they seek to retain their Premier League status once again.
Club: Miscellaneous
Established: 1962
Position last season: Champions - First Division North
Players to watch: Samuel Phiri
Home colours: Red and white
Away colours: White
Home ground: Serowe Sports Complex
Coach: Russia Chaba
Miscellaneous return after spending one season in the lower division and face the same challenges once again - finance. They have been quiet in the transfer market. Without seasoned players, they are likely to find it difficult once again to remain in the Premier League
Club: Green Lovers
Established: 2007
Position last season: Runners up - First Division North
Players to watch: Pako Gaofose
Home colours: Green and white
Away Colours: Green and white
Home ground: Serowe Sports Complex
Coach: Onthusitse Kootswele
Green Lovers will remain a closed book for many Premier League teams. That can be used to their advantage, but the gap between First Division and Premier League has proved to be big. That could also see them struggle to match most of the teams in the league especially without many players with Premier League experience in their squad.
Club: Motlakase Power Dynamos
Established: 1988
Position last season: 10
Players to watch: Othusitse Mahube
Home colours: Maroon and white
Away Colours: White and maroon
Home ground: Serowe Sports complex
Coach: Agang Mogotsi
Motlakase will once again start the season under the tutelage of local coach, Agang Mogotsi after the departure of Dominic Changwe over salary issues. They failed to repeat the performances of two seasons ago when they finished in the top eight. However, they should be able to retain their status in the league once again. They have reportedly signed Othusitse Mahube who played for Gunners and Notwane in the past.
Club: FC Satmos
Established: 1996
Position last season: 13
Players to watch: Lesego Moiphemedi
Home colours: Green and red
Away colours: Red and Green
Home ground: Selebi-Phikwe Stadium
Coach: Kenneth Mogae
It was a tough season for The Cheetahs after they survived relegation on the last day of the Premier League. Issues of indiscipline among some key players were reportedly one of the reasons for their poor performances last season. It remains to be seen whether they have what it takes this time to do well.