Sparkling showdown looms
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday August 31, 2018 11:57
The two sides were locked in a two-horse race for the league title last season, with Rollers snatching it on the last day.
Just two games into the new league season, Galaxy Stars have made their intentions clear, after winning opening matches 5-1 and 5-0 against newcomers, Prisons XI and Security Systems, respectively.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport, Galaxy’s assistant coach, Matshidiso Moseki said they are taking it one game at a time in the quest for a maiden league title. He, however, said they are still hurting from last season’s wounds as they aim to unsettle the league champions on Saturday.
“We want to open a six-point lead against them early into the season. We knew we will play them in our third game of the season while it would be their second due to CAF commitments. We are already three points ahead, and the aim is to open a six-point lead. It has never happened to them; they have never trailed by six points early in the season,” he said.
Popa are currently three points behind Galaxy with a game in hand as the champions were engaged in CAF Champions League. Moseki said Rollers’ CAF commitments could come in handy for his side, as he believes their opponents did not have preseason.
“They really never had a preseason. They have been playing since last season, when the league was over they played CAF. So we could use this to our advantage. We will also be playing on our own background. I would say that the last time we played them here that was the game that Rollers struggled a lot in the whole season,” he said.
The Galaxy Stars would be banking on their strike force that is made up of amongst others Zebras’ marksman, Tebogo Sembowa and former league top goal scorer, Patrick Kaunda. The duo has contributed three goals apiece in the 10 that the team has scored. On the other hand, Popa showed their dominance with a 4-1 win against Black Forest. Despite the team’s tight schedule they have maintained their good form. The majority of their offseason recruits had no part in the continental spectacle, which could keep them fresh for tomorrow’s high profile tie.
Popa have never lost to Galaxy since the 2015-2016 season. The two sides have met six times, with the Blues winning two while four ended in stalemates. Despite their attacking power, the two teams’ clash never produced goals as the highest scoring match had only three goals with Rollers walking away 2-1 winners. Rollers scored four goals while Galaxy only netted two. Rollers’ public relations officer, Bafana Pheto said the team will enter the fixture will less weight on their shoulders after being knocked out of the CAF Champions League.
“They are a team that have beaten us, we have good track record against them. But this does not mean we will just sit on our laurels on the day. We are going there for a kill. The record will not make us lose focus on the day. We are out of the CAF competition, so our focus is solely on the league,” he said.
“They need to prove themselves after we beat them to the league last season while we are not under any pressure, we are just going there for the three points.” Pheto also confirmed that the team would miss influential attacker, Edwin Moalosi who is out with an injury.
In other games, Systems would be gunning for their first point against BDF XI at the Lobatse Sports Complex this evening while Gaborone United will look to return to their winning ways as they face Extension Gunners at the Molepolole Sports Complex.
On Saturday afternoon, Police XI and Forest will lock horns at the Otse Stadium while Orapa United take a long journey to face an on-form Sharps Shooting Stars at the UB Stadium. Prison XI visit Sankoyo Bush Bucks at the Maun Sports Complex. On Sunday afternoon, Notwane welcome Miscellaneous at the Molepolole Sports Complex while Mochudi Centre Chiefs play BR Highlanders at the Serowe Sports Complex.