Crowning of champions on hold until final weekend
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday May 19, 2017 11:43
“We will only do it next weekend even if the title is settled this weekend because logistics will be quiet challenging,” BPL acting chief executive officer, Thabo Ntshinogang said yesterday.
He said at the moment they do not have the necessary resources to do that because the games will be played in Gaborone and Jwaneng simultaneously. Jwaneng Galaxy and Township Rollers are battling for the title with only two points separating them. Rollers lead the pack with 60 points while Galaxy are at 58 points.
There is a possibility that Rollers will be champions this weekend if they win their match against Black Forest and Galaxy drop points against Gaborone United (GU). If Rollers win, it will be their fifth league title in 10 years and 14th in total.
However, victory for Galaxy over GU will set up an interesting last day battle for the championship. Interestingly, the match that will settle the contest will be between the two sides.
Although last season’s title was also decided through a match between the top two sides, it was through a play-off following a long, tiring boardroom battle that saw Rollers losing seven points. The last time the BPL faced a situation where two sides met on the last day to decide the winner was in 2009 when GU stunned Mochudi Centre Chiefs to win their first league title in 19 years.
Wellington Maposa’s solitary strike was enough to secure the title in Molepolole. Interestingly, Mike Sithole was in charge of GU at the time. This time he faces the same possibility now under Galaxy.
But before that, the match against GU this Saturday is equally important for both GU and Galaxy. GU are fifth but risk failing to make it to next season’s Mascom Top 8 if they drop points in their next two games. Against Black Forest last weekend, GU had to come from behind twice to settle for a draw. Galaxy on the other hand dropped two points against Orapa United in midweek.
Rollers managed to survive a scare in the first round when they had to stage a comeback to force a 2-2 draw after Magoleng had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half. Rollers will welcome back Lawrence Majawa and Edwin Olerile who missed the match against Green Lovers due to suspension.
Mosha Gaolaolwe had to switch from the centre back to a holding midfield role in the absence of Majawa while Kaone van der Westhuizen stood in for Olerile.
In another interesting encounter, Chiefs host Orapa United in Molepolole as they seek to secure a top eight finish.
Magosi are in position eight with 38 points following an emphatic win over Miscellaneous last weekend. However, Black Forest are breathing heavily on their necks. They are also on 38 points but with an inferior goal difference. Orapa United, despite tumbling out of the title race, have already secured their top three position.
Meanwhile, Ntshinongang said the investigations into the tickets scandal, which rocked the match between Rollers and Chiefs, are about to conclude.
He said the police investigations are nearing completion in what could solve the mystery regarding allegations that some people were caught selling duplicated tickets during the two giants’ match.