Galaxy, Rollers in dramatic cliff-hanger
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday April 27, 2018 13:21
Rollers have been sitting at the top with a three point advantage for sometime only to lose the top spot to Galaxy after the midweek results. Not only has Galaxy equalled the number of points (57) but they have also extended their goal difference, giving them a slight advantage with three matches remaining for both sides.
Galaxy carry a goal difference of 30 while Rollers have 21. Following Wednesday’s defeat to Security Systems, Rollers coach, Nikola Kavazovic was quoted by his club congratulating Galaxy for winning the league. The utterances, which seem to have rubbed some Rollers supporters the wrong way, appear to be mind games rather than the Serbian giving up on winning the title this season. “After tonight all I can say is congratulations to Jwaneng Galaxy for winning the BTC Premiership 2017-18 season. I also want to congratulate my players, I am really proud of everything they did throughout the season, they suffered a lot of injustice, somebody did not want us to win the title.”
Both sides, however still have tricky encounters left between them.
This weekend, Galaxy will be away to Gaborone United (GU) while Rollers take on Uniao Flamengo Santos. On paper, tomorrow’s fixture appears titanic between Galaxy and GU. However, Moyagoleele for the past few weeks have experienced internal problems that also saw their head coach, Rodolfo Zapata leave for greener pastures.
Stephen Maposa will be at the helm in the remaining games. With players still owed some salaries, the management is said to have convinced the players to carry on in the remaining games while the club find ways of paying them.
The only motivation for Moyagoleele going into the matches is the fact that leading goal scorer, Thatayaone Kgamanyane will be looking to extend his lead. Moemedi Moatlhaping of Sharps Shooting Stars is breathing on his neck, just two goals behind. For Rollers, the Sunday match against Santos carries a reminder of what happened on Wednesday when they lost to a relegation-threatened side.
Santos are currently facing an uphill battle in their quest for survival with a loss this weekend confirming their exit from the elite league. After their weekend fixtures, Rollers will switch their focus to the CAF Champions League match against Ugandan side, Kampala Capital City Authority.
Galaxy and Rollers will then take on Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Miscellaneous respectively before they wrap up their season against Systems and Extension Gunners. Since their promotion to the elite league, Galaxy have not struggled against Kgatleng giants. Miscellaneous on the other hand, have proved to be a tough customer for Rollers and broke the defending champions’ unbeaten run in the first round.
Meanwhile, the battle for survival has also intensified with two teams expected to join Gilport Lions in the lower division. TAFIC, occupying position 14, take on Miscellaneous tomorrow while Police XI in position 13 will be up against BDF XI. Mochudi Centre Chiefs take the long route to Maun to face Sankoyo Bush Bucks while Security Systems will be looking to maintain their good run under Daniel Nare when they take on Black Forest.