Gunners eye changes against Rollers
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Wednesday October 21, 2015 13:03
Gunners are playing their second game under Daniel Nare, who replaced Pio Paul as the head coach last week. His first assignment was a 2-0 loss to high-riding BDF XI last Saturday. Matches between the two sides have always been tricky although Rollers at most times dominate.
The last time they met was in the Barclays Kabelano Charity Cup where Rollers dispatched Gunners 2-1 before they went on to win the competition. Not much has changed in the playing personnel except that Gunners will now be under a new coach.
Rollers’ coach, Mark Harrison is facing a healthy selection headache with all his players doing well when given chance. Harrison decided to give star men; Joel Mogorosi, Kabelo Dambe, Galagwe Moyana and Segolame Boy, a break in the 2-0 win over Miscellaneous last Saturday. The quartet, however, is expected to return tomorrow with another tough encounter against Mochudi Centre Chiefs coming this Sunday.
The likes of Edwin Moalosi and Carl Finnigan did not disappoint after being given a run in the absence of Zebras stars. Tonight’s match will also see the return of left back, Kaone van der Westhuizen who missed the game against Miscellaneous because of suspension.
They will be without midfielder, Maano Ditshupo and Finnigan, who are both on suspension. Otlantshekela Mooketsi also misses out due to injury he picked up on Saturday. Harrison said he expects a tightly contested match.
“We had only two days to prepare for this game and we will have two again to prepare for Sunday’s game. Everything is going well at training except the injury to Mooketsi and suspensions to Finnigan and Ditshupo. Such games are tricky because current form counts for nothing,” said the Rollers mentor.
Gunners, on the other hand, are desperate to register their first win in six consecutive games. Against BDF XI they looked disjointed going forward with skilful winger, Tshegofatso Chimuku, the only threat. Mogomotsi Mokoka looked isolated most of the time with his strike partner, Boitshoko Zikhale ineffective against BDF XI.
Nare is expected to ring changes in his first 11 in order to try and deal with the dangerous wing play posed by Rollers while at the same time looking to unlock their defence.
Gunners will be hoping that their midfield pair of Kemmy Pilato and Amos Godirwang come to the party tonight. Godirwang in particular struggled to stamp his authority against BDF XI in the last match. Rollers’ victory will see them retain the top spot while Gunners desperately need a win to stay in the top eight.
Nare said he will make changes both in the lineup and approach. He said he will continue to make changes from midfield upwards until they get it right.
“Against BDF XI, I tried to play two strikers and packed the midfield to help in ball retention. Unfortunately, some of my players did not come to the party. We made substitutions in the second half and we looked better,” he said.
He said although his defence made some mistakes, it was not too bad and therefore will not try and change players individually for tomorrow’s game except to work on the players’ mentality.
In another exciting match, Police XI take on Mochudi Centre Chiefs tonight in Molepolole. The Jungle Kings, who have been doing relatively well this season, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Orapa United last weekend and look to bounce back. Chiefs laboured to a 1-0 win over Green Lovers.
Like Rollers, Chiefs go into tonight’s match with their mind on the tough fixture on Sunday. Mike Sithole has reportedly expressed his desire to sign another striker in January with his current squad misfiring upfront. The likes of Kekaetswe Moloi are yet to hit top gear this season.