Battle of allies as BDF XI, Chiefs clash
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday November 6, 2015 12:52
The two sides lock horns at the National Stadium at 7 pm in what is likely to be a highly tactical game.
Sithole was the first to arrive in Botswana as a Chiefs coach and led them to number two position on the log in 2006 behind ECCO City Greens. The following season he left to join Gaborone United (GU) and Chambeshi took over at Chiefs and led them to the first ever league trophy.
Sithole then snatched the title with GU the following season before he went onto coach Rollers and BMC. He returned to Chiefs last season and won the league. Chambeshi who has been coaching back home is now back and hoping to clinch his second league title in the country with BDF XI.
Chiefs have bolstered their technical department this week ahead of the tie with the arrival of Pio Paul. Paul, who recently parted ways with Extension Gunners, was introduced to the players on Tuesday as one of the assistant coaches to Sithole.
Both Paul and Sithole are known for their ability to read their opponents well. Chambeshi on other hand is also a well-known tactician and sits next to Louis Setshwane, his assistant who is also a good motivator. Paul comes to Chiefs at a time when they have been a shadow of themselves since the season started.
The recent loss to arch rivals, Township Rollers saw them trail the log leaders by seven points. Sithole has tried different combinations since the season started and decried shortage of strikers in the current squad.
After parting ways with Bonolo Fraizer, who was a proven goal scorer, Chiefs were left with only two options in Onalethata Tshekiso and Kekaetswe Moloi. They also let Patrick Kaunda join BDF XI, preferring to sign skillful winger, Mkhanyeseli Siwahla to fill the only space left for a foreign player. Kaunda has now proved to be an ideal addition to the BDF XI squad. He has been scoring crucial goals in the league. Tonight, he has the chance to prove that Chiefs could have made a mistake by letting him go.
Chiefs have also struggled defensively this season after the injury to central defender, Charles Mutero. Midfielder, Lesego Galenamotlhale was at some point forced to move to defence. The situation has been worsened by the fact that another central defender, Keabetswe Jenamiso is also out of tonight’s game after picking up an injury in the last game.
“We are thin at the back, but we are currently working on how we can strategise going into this game.
It is going to be a tough game because they lost their last league match. We also lost our last league game therefore both sides are going for a victory,” assistant coach Zaid Jalaal told Mmegi Sport yesterday.
He also expects a high tempo game since the game will be played under floodlights.
Not only will Chiefs face Kaunda threat, but will also be up against Phenyo Mongala who they released at the beginning of the season. Against Gaborone United in the Mascom Top 8 last Sunday, Mongala showed glimpses of what made him a household name.
His speed and skill together with that of Kabelo Seakanyeng on the other wing could prove difficult for Chiefs defence to deal with. Chiefs however also have abundant talent going forward in the team.
Ayanda Molefe has done relatively well in few games he has played so far and could be the answer for Chiefs if they are to unlock BDF XI’s rear guard. Chambeshi is happy to welcome winger, Kabelo Seakanyeng who missed the game against GU because of illness.
He said Chiefs is an outstanding team with a good coach but expects his team, which has young players to withstand the pressure.
In another interesting fixture, Police XI and Rollers meet for the second time in seven days, this time in the league. Rollers emerged 4-2 victors last Saturday in the Mascom Top 8 clash after staging a dramatic comeback. Police had taken an early 2-0 lead before Rollers came back stronger in the second half.
Rollers are still unbeaten since the league started, but know well that Police XI broke their unbeaten record last season.
The loss was the start of a slump for Rollers who went on to surrender their lead and the league. They also went onto lose in the final of the Mascom Top 8 against GU. The Jungle Kings will be without Tapiwa Gadibolae following an agreement between the two clubs.
He is on a season-long loan from Rollers.