Buoyant Rollers take on Sankoyo in F/town
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday February 5, 2016 14:05
Popa will hope to reproduce a similar display as their last visit to the city in December where they prevailed 5-0 over Nico United.
Rollers are on cloud nine, both on and off the pitch after regaining their log leadership as well as holding a progressive annual general meeting last Saturday.
Sankoyo have been drowning in financial problems which triggered a player exodus but still the Maun side held defending champions, Mochudi Centre Chiefs to a 1-1 draw before dispatching Police XI 2-1 last weekend. They held Green Lovers in their other encounter thus far this year.
Tomorrow’s meeting will be the fourth between the two sides. In their first ever meeting, the visiting Sankoyo held Popa to a 1-1 draw, before Mapalastina edged Sankoyo 2-1 in the reverse fixture. In the last meeting in the first round, Rollers won 1-0. Rollers coach, Mark Harrisson said the team enjoyed the last trip down north. He said preparations are in order. “Everything is good; it was nice to get back to winning ways. Competition is good, the atmosphere in the camp has improved and the boys are focused.
We enjoyed our last game in Francistown. It was nice to play at the new stadium. The pitch is open and it is perfect. We are pushing to the end and we are taking one game at a time.
We wish our supporters can come in numbers this time around and encourage the boys,” he said.
He has a full squad except for Segolame Boy who is struggling with an injury and Terence Mandaza whose paperwork has not been finalised. Sankoyo coach, Gadimang Tiiso said they remain focused.
“We respect Rollers; they are a strong side with a pool of players high on confidence as log leaders, but we are ready for them. Our preparations are ongoing and we have a few knocks from our last game, but we expect the boys to be back for the game.
We have worked so hard on the mental strength of the players and they are focused on doing their best for the team. We are ready,” Tiiso said. side.
Marekwa said they have released Thabiso Ntwaane, Williams Mlonga and Tshepho Mokotedi. He added that they do not want a repeat of last season when they slipped at a crucial moment of the race. Failure to comply will see clubs expelled from local leagues and subsequently barred from taking part in CAF competitions.
Clubs face a furious race against time as the new initiatives kick-in at the beginning of next season.
Local clubs have a well documented history with poor finances and will need to shift gears to meet the stringent requirements.
As BFA begins an ardous journey towards transformation, local leaders will look back at an opportunity lost. Botswana could have enforced the Bosele Declaration the same way CAF has put its foot down on club licensing and local football could have made the long strides eight years back.