Rollers' Hamlet moment
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday April 30, 2019 13:59
Hamlet finds Claudius sunk on his knees, in what appears to be a prayer, and he hesitates to kill him.
He feels if he kills Claudius in this moment, his soul will go straight to heaven, and he does not want to do that.
While Shakespeare's work was set in Denmark around 1600, there might be an air of familiarity on the National Stadium pitch tomorrow afternoon, where daggers would be drawn between traditional rivals, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers.
Since Chiefs won their first league title in 2008, their rivalry against Rollers has remained unmatched.
Other than Gaborone United in 2009, no other side has managed to break the Chiefs, Rollers league dominance.
However, Chiefs has suffered a damaging decline over the last two seasons, leaving Rollers chasing a fourth successive league crown.
Magosi are a pale shadow of a side that cantered to their first league title undefeated in 2008. They went on to claim a further three titles in a sparkling period, which saw the level of local football lifted to new levels.
Rollers were not to be outdone and have been, by some distance, the league's most consistent side in the last decade.
Popa has watched Chiefs slide into near oblivion. Chiefs are closer to the First Division than the top of the Premiership, where they supposedly belong.
Magosi, like Claudius, have sunk to their knees, and are at the mercy of Rollers. On Wednesday, Rollers will walk into the National Stadium, only to find their rivals at their most vulnerable position. Will they deliver the killer punch and send Chiefs closer to the First Division, not necessarily the heaven that Hamlet feared sending Claudius too?
It is a perfect opportunity for Rollers to plunge in the dagger and all, but sounding Chiefs' death knell, could be the moment Popa has been waiting for.
Rollers are chasing a record extending the 16th league title. Popa might want to remind Chiefs that the MmaMasire side once did a painful stint in the First Division in 2004.
With Gaborone United and Rollers fresh from doing time in the First Division, a Chiefs defeat on Wednesday might open doors for another heavyweight to fall to the dusty grounds.
Notwane has just returned, and there is little to suggest that, Chiefs are not tailor made for the First Division, going by current form.
Chiefs have been dreadful on and off the field throughout a forgettable season, and there are no immediate signals of a Houdini act.
And to make matters worse, they face Rollers' Hamlet moment, which is sure to attract thousands to the National Stadium tomorrow.
May Day Fixtures:
Sharps vs Police XI Molepolole Sports Complex 3pm
Black Forest vs Systems Molepolole Sports Complex 3pm
Rollers vs Chiefs National Stadium 3.45pm
Miscellaneous vs Prisons Serowe Sports Complex 4pm
Galaxy vs Orapa Jwaneng Stadium 4pm
BDF XI vs GU Otse Stadium 3.45pm