Rollers, Chiefs in decisive �El Case-co�
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday April 8, 2016 14:36
The second half of the season has been dominated by protests over Rollers’ registration of Ofentse Nato and Terrence Mandaza. Chiefs, despite losing the case, have been unrelenting, until they lost an appeal recently. The off-the-field feud will surely stoke the fire ahead of tomorrow’s explosive encounter.
Chiefs trail the log leaders by four points with four games remaining.
A loss tomorrow will see them fall behind by seven points and will effectively make it harder to catch up in the remaining three games.
However, a win will throw the title race wide open which would see the two sides, together with Orapa United, fighting until the last match of the season. Chiefs still have tricky encounters on the way against BDF XI, Jwaneng Galaxy and Nico United.
Rollers also have difficult matches against Police XI and Orapa United. They will also play against Green Lovers. Police XI have already denied Orapa United and Chiefs’ victories recently.
Recent statistics favour Rollers ahead of what is expected to be an entertaining affair. Rollers have been dominant over Kgatleng giants. Last season, they met twice with both sides having a fair share of 1-0 victories. Rollers emerged victorious in the first round courtesy of a Jerome Louis strike. Chiefs bounced back in the second round and won 1-0 through Lemponye Tshireletso and went on to win the league.
Since then, the two giants have met four times with Rollers winning all the encounters. It all started with the final of the Kabelano Charity Cup in which Rollers won 3-2.
They met again in the first round of the league and Rollers again came out tops with a 3-2 win.
The Mascom Top 8 semi-final draw matched the two sides again with the two-legged encounters characterised by protests. Rollers stunned Chiefs in the first leg with a 3-1 victory before they finished off the job in the second leg with a 2-0 score line.
One interesting thing about the two sides is that they have scored the highest number of goals in the league. Rollers have scored 64 goals with Chiefs second with 54. Rollers have also been tight at the back and conceded just 13 goals so far.
They have not conceded more than two goals in a match this season.
Chiefs will have a selection headache upfront following Ayanda Molefe’s brace against Green Lovers this weekend.
Whether coach, Mike Sithole will prefer the experience of Pontsho Moloi and Onalethata Tshekiso or fresh legs of Molefe and Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, remains to be seen.
Rollers on the other hand are also spoilt for choice following the return of Segolame Boy and Mogogi Gabonamong, who missed their game against Miscellaneous.
Chiefs captain, Lesego Galenamotlhale said they are aware Rollers have been dominating them this season but vowed to reverse the trend tomorrow.
“We need to win this game for our supporters and we will win it,” he said. Rollers spokesperson, Bafana Pheto said his side will once again be looking for nothing but a victory. “We have to finish what we started,” he said.
Meanwhile, the two sides’ supporters have been urged to adhere to the sitting arrangement set out for this match. The Eastern Stand popularly known as Panda will be demarcated into two parts.
Rollers supporters will sit on the southern side while Chiefs occupy the northern side.
The Grand Stand will also be demarcated with Rollers sitting on the northern side while Chiefs sit on the southern side.
Head-to-head since September 2014
Rollers 1-0 Chiefs (League 1st round)
Chiefs 1-0 Rollers (League 2nd round)
Rollers 3-2 Chiefs (Kabelano Charity Cup)
Rollers 3-2 Chiefs (League 1st round)
Chiefs 1-3 Rollers (Mascom Top 8 s/final 1st leg)
Rollers 2-0 (Mascom Top 8 semi final second leg)