BPL 2016-2017 preview - Part one
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday August 26, 2016 14:44
Club: Township Rollers
Established: 1961
Position last season: League Champions
Players to watch: Segolame Boy, Joel Mogorosi
Home colours: Blue and Gold
Away Colours: Gold and Blue
Home ground: National Stadium
Coach: Mark Harrison
Despite winning the league, Rollers have not set on their laurels as they did all in their effort to build for the new season. They went to a pre-season camp in Rustenburg before they played two friendly matches in Lesotho. They have also registered quite some interesting players including Mosha Gaolaolwe, Tshireletso and Kekaetswe Moloi as they look to defend their league title as well as try and finally lay their hands on the Top 8 trophy, which has eluded them for the past three editions.
Club: Gaborone United
Established: 1967
Position last season: 5
Players to watch: Alphonse Modisaotsile, Hendrick Moyo
Home colours: Red
Away colours: White
Home ground: National Stadium
Coach: Rodolfo Zapata
Gaborone United (GU) have not had smooth pre-season as one would expect for a team of its calibre. The departure of investor, Nicholas Zakhem left a vacuum with the head coach only arriving last week after being stuck in his come country because of the club’s financial challenges. Unlike in the previous seasons, GU have strangely been quite in the transfer market despite having lost several key players to other clubs. Zapata has made it clear that he would want to seriously challenge for honours this season, but will face tough competition from both Orapa and Rollers who have been busy during the pre-season.
“Our preparations were affected by the fact that we lost an investor and we failed to sign players that we had wanted because of the issue of finance. It was a very quiet transfer window for us. However, we still believe we can compete and we want silverware this season,” GU spokesperson, Ernest Mosedame said.
Club: Orapa United
Established: 2010
Position last season: 3
Players to watch: Patrick Lenyeletse, Tendai Nyumasi
Home colours: Orange and white
Away colours: White
Home ground: Itekeng Stadium
Coach: Madinda Ndlovu
Following a successful season in which they won the Mascom Top 8, Orapa United like Rollers have also been busy in the pre-season playing different tournaments. Last weekend, they were in Maun where they faced the likes of Sankoyo Bush Bucks. They have lost two exciting youngsters, Onkabetse Makgantai and Thabang Sesinyi but have also made several new interesting signings amongst them Letumile Molebatsi and Tendai Nyumasi. The Ostriches will be looking to win their first ever league title.
“We continue to chase the title and obviously we will be working on retaining the Top 8 in Boteti. We have signed Omaatla Kebatho amongst others,” public relations officer, Tebatso Hule said.
Club: Miscellaneous
Established: 1962
Position last season: sixth
Home colours: Red and white
Away Colours: White
Home ground: Serowe Sports Complex
Coach: Russia Chaba
Miscellaneous marked their return to the Premier League with an outstanding performance, finishing sixth and will appear for the first time in the Mascom Top 8 tournament. They started their pre-season as early as the start of July and have been involved in several tournaments as they look to build on last season’s performance. They have been boosted by the assistance of Botswana Life in the payment of players’ salaries.
“We are aiming for the top four this season. Just last weekend we hammered Green Lovers 7-2 and beat Motlakase 2-0 in a tournament. Our preparations have been good. We have signed Thabo Mosielele (defender) from Motlakase, Kebatshabile Monthe (midfielder) from Pilikwe United and Tapiwa Nyamanjiva (defender) from BR Highlanders,” Miscellaneous spokesperson, Edwin Ntau said.
Club: Mochudi Centre Chiefs
Established: 1972
Position last season: 2
Players to watch: Jackie Mothatego, Lesego Galenamotlhale
Home colours: Black and white stripes
Away Colours: White
Home ground: National Stadium
Coach: Not yet confirmed
Mochudi Centre Chiefs were last season involved in a long running battle with their rivals, Township Rollers over the registration of Ofentse Nato. The issue was finally settled recently following a play-off in Molepolole. Having finished last season empty handed, Chiefs will be looking to win some silverware this season but things have not been easy on the transfer market. They have lost several players including Lemponye Tshireletso and Tendai Nyumasi who were very influential in the past two seasons. They have also struggled to register big name players because of their financial situation. News of Thabang Sesinyi joining should be a major boost in their attack. With the transfer window closing today, Chiefs will be looking to add few more seasoned campaigners if they are to compete with both Rollers and Orapa United.
“We are lagging behind in terms of preparations because our season ended just recently with the issues that were involved. We could not combine two issues so things on our side have not moved at the speed that is expected. We will approach the season with what we have and whatever does challenge that we face we will fix in January. Nothing has been concluded with regard to names linked to us including Thabang Sesinyi and Noah Maposa,” Chiefs spokesperson, Clifford Mogomotsi said.