The season's early highs and lows
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday November 9, 2018 11:59
Early contenders
As expected defending champions, Township Rollers have taken an early lead in the title race as they sit at the summit of the log with 32 points from 12 games.
Despite losing head coach, Nikola Kavazovic to Kenyan side, AFC Leopards, Popa have continued where they left off last season, as they remain unbeaten. Breathing on Rollers’ neck is Orapa United with 29 points, three adrift of Rollers, but have played a game more.
However, a surprise package comes in the form of Sharps Shooting Stars who are on the third spot with 23 points, nine behind Rollers, but have played two games less than the league champions.
Relegation contenders
It seems like it is time for the Maun-based, Sankoyo Bush Bucks to finally bite the dust. The team has been struggling with finances since gaining promotion in 2014.
Ngurungu remain the only side yet to record a win this season as they sit at the bottom of the log with just three points after losing eight games and playing to three draws. Sankoyo have the most leaky defence after conceding 21 goals in just 10 games.
Newly-promoted, Prisons XI are just three points ahead of Sankoyo and have failed to impress after winning only a single game, lost seven and played to draws three times.
In the midst of the relegation fight are Gaborone United (GU) and Mochudi Centre Chiefs who are 14th and 12th respectively. With 11 league titles between Chiefs and GU, the drop looks unlikely at this stage. Black Forest and Security Systems remain in the danger zone.
Old guards for the Green Boot?
Like wine, Joel Mogorosi and Bonolo Fraizer are getting better with age. The two veteran strikers are leading the race for the Green Boot early into the season. Mogorosi is on seven goals while Fraizer has scored six thus far. Not far behind are two veteran strikers, Kenanao Kgetholetsile and Patrick Kaunda, with five goals each. The duo is level with 21-year-old, Tshepo Malgas of Sharps Shooting Stars.
Surprise packages
Sharps’ coach, Rapelang ‘Razor’ Tsatsilebe would easily walk away with the coach of the season accolade if the league were to end now. Razor has built a formidable side since his return from TAFIC at the start of the season.
The team has lost only once and is joint at the top with Rollers in the scoring charts. It is an incredible feat for a team that just two seasons ago was playing in the dusty First Division grounds. The team’s form has seen the emergence of new stars including Malgas, Ugandan attacker, Lawrence Ndunga and Letlhogonolo Chenjela. Sharps have proven to be giant killers, with Chiefs, Gaborone United and Jwaneng Galaxy some of the victims.
Mike Sithole’s Police XI also deserves recognition. The team is sixth with 18 points, after losing just two games this season. Newly- promoted BR Highlanders have done fairly well thus far; they are in the top eight with 11 points.