Who stood out in the middle of the park?
Mqondisi Dube | Friday December 13, 2019 12:29
Defensive midfielders
Lawrence Majawa
Cool as ice in the midfield, you would not pick anyone to be the shield in front of the defence, other than Majawa
The Malawian boasts four titles to his name, all with Rollers, making himself the most successful foreign player in the league.In his prime, he was comfortable on the ball, a clean marker, a good reader of the game and had an eye for long-range shots.
Ofentse ‘Size10’ Nato
Though his image has been tainted by the recent stock-theft charge. Size10 broke into the scene at Gaborone United (GU) in 2009 as a 19-year-old. From the onset he was seen as Mogogi Gabonamong’s replacement in the holding midfielder role. In his first season he won the league with the Reds. Nato proved to be deadly on set pieces, neat marker and showed great game intelligence. He spent five seasons in South Africa and India; he is currently with Township Rollers where he is used in central defence role.
Elvis Meleka
A beast in the middle of the park. He was robust, aggressive, a neat touch on the ball while he had great vision. He is a three-time championship winner with Chiefs going back to his home country, Zimbabwe. He returned to local shores two seasons ago but failed to replicate his form.
Elijah Montsho (formerly Phiriepha)
He was largely undetected, but did the dirty job in a tidy manner. He was part of the all-conquering Mochudi Centre Chiefs in 2008, and went on to dominate the holding role for seasons. Montsho even earned a call-up to the national team, as he was rewarded for his industry.
Attacking midfielders
Dirang Moloi
He is still doing his magic at Extension Gunners. ‘Malam’ has good vision, an eye for goal, is a good dribbler and probably the best passer of the ball. He is deadly on set pieces but is often let down by his discipline. Moloi is also a three-time title winner. He played for Magosi from 2009 to 2013 before leaving for South Africa. He has turned out for Rollers and GU in the pre-BTC sponsored era.
Oteng ‘OT’ Moalosi
A stylish midfielder who operated in a well-oiled Mochudi Centre Chiefs engine room. ‘Limkokwing’ was known for his ‘no-look’ passes, which endeared him to the fans, and he was crowned the best player in 2008. The lanky dreadlocked player was always a marvel to watch and he dished several enterprising passes, which led to countless goals for the irrepressible Magosi.
Tendai Nyumasi
Nyumasi shone while at ECCO City Greens and continues to do the job for Police XI. A slick midfielder, Nyumasi thrived at City Greens, where he could change the pace of the game through a sudden burst of acceleration, and opening up the opposition rearguard. A goal scoring midfielder, Nyumasi thrived at Chiefs and Orapa United, before moving to Police XI last season. At one stage, he attracted the attention of then Absa Premiership side, Mpumalanga Black Aces.
Joel Mogorosi
He was arguably the best winger at his prime. Mogorosi had the pace to take on his marker and put in a decent cross, while in full flight. He is best remembered for the game against South Africa in 2011, when he gave then respected Bafana Bafana left back, Punch Masenamela a torrid time. Mogorosi succeeded at both bitter rivals, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers, before he left to join Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa.
Wingers
Pontsho Moloi
Piro is the Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ most successful captain. He led a dominant Magosi side that won the championship four times between 2008 and 2015.
Fans will remember a cornrow styled Piro for his neat crosses, though he lacked pace but could take on his man with skill. Moloi had an eye for goal and bagged a couple of assists. Moloi was part of 2012 AFCON Zebras squad and currently he is an assistant coach at GU.
Sekhana Koko
‘Nandos’ was very slick with the ball; he enjoyed taking on his markers. He was good with both feet and played on either wing or just behind the striker. Koko was one the best crossers in his era and bagged a number of goals. He once won the coveted Player of the Season accolade. He is back on the field with Molepolole City Stars after spending a season out with a knee injury.
Lemponye Tshireletso
‘FC’ is known for his cultured left foot. He is deadly on set pieces. Tshireletso left BDF XI to pursue a career at Mochudi Centre Chiefs, where his star continued to shine. He then moved to Township Rollers, where he is a constant feature. He was the top goal scorer, with 15 goals, while turning out for Chiefs in 2015, and now plays in more advanced roles.
Edwin Moalosi
The pint-sized winger was always a thorn in the flesh when on top of his game. He played a blinder for Rollers against Chiefs in 2012 in the Coca-Cola Cup final, before he left for college football in the United States. He has trickery and pace to trouble defenses.