The last kicks of a dying derby
Mqondisi Dube | Friday February 3, 2017 14:24
Surprisingly, the “debate square” is silent on what in the past used to be a critical subject. A meeting between Gaborone’s glamour clubs, Township Rollers and Gaborone United (GU) was always on the agenda at the famous meeting spot where various topical issues are fiercely debated. But this week, the neglected Gaborone derby is not one of the priorities, instead, the AFCON tournament has even moved ahead on the ‘trending’ list. The blue half of town is silent and so is the red side; the vibe is long gone. Most fans argue since GU emerged from a harrowing five-year stay in the First Division, the derby has never been the same. Former GU midfielder, Diphetogo ‘Dipsy’ Selolwane said his boyhood side has failed to live up to expectations in the past few seasons, which might have affected the derby. Mochudi Centre Chiefs have zoomed past GU to assume the role of Rollers’ most fierce rival in the last six seasons.
Selolwane said the football culture is changing, which has had an effect on the derby.
“During my time, it was unheard of one to move from GU to Rollers, but times are changing.
Even the way they market the game should change in order to re-ignite the rivalry. You cannot market the derby the same way you did back then. Today’s fan is different and wants (more) information. “Going forward, the derby can be revived, and it is key for players to take pride in representing the two teams,” Selolwane said.
Tshepiso ‘Sox’ Molwantwa, who faced Selolwane in numerous derbies, is searching for answers as to why a game which used to be the talk of the town has been reduced to a ‘non issue’. “You could even feel at training on Friday prior to the game. It was a big game. I guess GU has taken a knock in terms of play and support, which has probably affected the derby,” Molwantwa, who went on to form a deadly combination with Selolwane in the national side, said.
He said the supporters used to motivate them prior to the game, but now with the uneven support both teams enjoy, the vibe is gone. Molwantwa said during its heyday, the derby was ‘self-marketing.’
“Once the fixtures were out, that was enough,” Molwantwa who was a fan favourite at Rollers said. Former Mmegi Sports Editor, Kagiso Sekokonyane covered numerous derbies and is also at loss of words as to how the mighty match has fallen.
“You would feel it the whole week preceding the match. The teams’ public relations officers used to sell the game. I don’t know if that is happening now, but the oomph is gone. I was shocked when I went to the (main) mall and passed through the famous debate place and they were talking about the AFCON instead,” Sekokonyane said.
Like Selolwane, Sekokonyane believes the indiscriminate player movement between the two sides has removed the venom.
Only this week, Edwin Olerile retraced his steps back to Rollers after an unhappy spell at GU, and unlike in a fierce derby atmosphere, the boos would be missing each time he touches the ball.