Rollers face Reds examination
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday October 2, 2015 12:13
Out of eight games they have played so far, Rollers have met only one team that is in the top eight. It was their season opener when they thrashed BDF XI 4-1.
The rest have been the teams occupying the bottom seven positions. Although the derby has lost its bite in recent years, pound for pound the two sides boast of the cream of Botswana talent as evidenced by the number of players both teams have in the national team.
GU kicked off the season on a low gear, but have since picked themselves up and have registered three consecutive victories. Rollers on the other hand, have not lost a single game thus far and continue to collect points despite changing their line-up in every game.
While each of the two sides has exciting players in almost every position, all eyes will be on two young players; Segolame Boy and Mpho Kgaswane.
They are two of the four or five exciting young players in the league at the moment. The two players burst into the limelight last season although Kgaswane emerged later in the season when he moved from Uniao Flamengo Santos in the First Division.
Immediately, football pundits drew comparison between the two although Boy plays more as a supporting striker at Rollers while Kgaswane is an outright winger. Boy was largely anonymous when the two sides met in the final of the Mascom Top 8 while Kgaswane showed glimpses of brilliance and helped his side win the competition.
However, Boy bounced back few weeks later when the two teams met in the league and scored two goals when his side registered a 3-0 victory over GU. He is oozing confidence after scoring four goals against hapless Satmos last Sunday. The two young players are part of the national team. Kgaswane’s training programme has however been disturbed by illness this week, which forced him to miss the Zebras game against Ethiopia.
He is nonetheless expected to be ready for the Saturday clash with Rollers. Apart from Kgaswane, GU can also rely on Namibian striker, Benson Shilongo, for the goals. Katlego Koobake settled in quickly at the left back position and has won the man-of-the-match twice since he arrived at GU.
He is likely to face either Joel Mogorosi or Motsholetsi Sikele who both have the speed to unlock any defence.
GU assistant coach, Thabo Motang said he expects a competitive match against Rollers but said they will treat it like any other match.
“It is a big game yes to many people, but we will take it like any other game. We are taking each game as it comes.”
GU have been boosted by the return of midfielder, Thato Ogopotse from injury. Edwin Olerile has also been training with the team after missing some matches.
Rollers mentor, Mark Harrison said he is looking forward to the derby in his first season as a coach in Botswana.
“I have experienced the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool and I am expecting a similar type of atmosphere,” Harrison told Mmegi Sport. “Games like this, passion is high and both sides will be looking for good result.”