Galaxy chase elusive Popa win
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday January 11, 2019 13:10
The two sides will lock horns at the National Stadium in a BTC Premiership encounter scheduled for 3:45pm kick-off time.
Galaxy are just in their fifth year of existence, but have seen their reputation soar, with a cup title, a club continental competition appearance and a league runners-up medal.
However, a victory against the country’s most successful team has remained elusive.
Apart from winning the league title, Galaxy’s other mandate would be to finally defeat Rollers. The boys from the diamond mining town have failed in seven attempts, with five matches ending in stalemates, while Popa won the other two. Galaxy go into the Sunday fixture boasting the season’s second best defensive and attacking records as they have scored 24 goals in 15 games while conceding only seven.
Only their Sunday opponents,Rollers have a better record, having scored a goal more and conceded a goal less.
Galaxy spokesperson, Tankiso Morake outlined the importance of winning against Rollers over the weekend. “We have never beaten Rollers and we should remember that Rollers last beat us in the 2016-2017 season.
“The morale is high in the camp. We closed the year by making history beating Gaborone United (GU) for the first time. We will also open this year by another piece of history.
“Our mandate is to win the league and to win the league we have to beat the champions,” he said. Interestingly, the two teams are on a similar run of form, with three wins, a draw and a loss apiece, in their last five games.
Popa are, however, on the top with 32 points while Galaxy are seven points adrift at third. The visitors will put their money on Patrick Kaunda who has scored seven goals this season.
The Zimbabwean marksman has shown signs of a man who won the top goal scorer accolade a few seasons back while at FC Satmos.
The striker has great vision, pace and ability to find spaces behind the defenders.
On the other end, Popa boast a very talented squad with a mixture of the tried and tested and blossoming talents. The team’s main source of inspiration has come in the form of centre back, Simisane Mathumo.
The Zebras’ captain has shown maturity in the heart of Rollers defence. He poses great threat in set pieces, reads the game well and he is also a good passer of the ball, which enables the team to start their moves from the back.
In other matches, second-placed Orapa United will look to keep up with Popa when they host Prisons XI at the Itekeng Stadium tonight.
Notwane and Security Systems face-off at the Molepolole Sports Complex in another fixture today.
On Saturday, Extension Gunners visit strugglers Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the Molepolole Sports Complex while Police XI welcome BR Highlanders at the Otse Stadium as fourth-placed Sharps Shooting Stars travel to Serowe to face Miscellaneous.
The Molepolole Sports Complex hosts the first double header of the year, as GU will take bottom-placed Sankoyo Bush Bucks at 7pm, after the 3:45pm match between Gunners and Chiefs. BDF XI play Black Forest at the Lobatse Sports Complex.
Sat 01/09/18 PRL Galaxy 0 - 0 Rollers
Mon 16/04/18 PRL Rollers 0 - 0 Galaxy
Tue 28/11/17 PRL Galaxy 0 - 0 Rollers
Sat 27/05/17 PRL Rollers 1 - 0 Galaxy
Sat 22/10/16 PRL Galaxy 1 - 2 Rollers
Sun 17/01/16 PRL Galaxy 0 - 0 Rollers
Fri 21/08/15 PRL Rollers 1 - 1 Galaxy