Festive Premiership line-ups ahead of break
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday December 15, 2017 14:29
Amongst the highlights of the weekend is the clash between log leaders, Township Rollers and Extension Gunners on Sunday in Lobatse.
Rollers, assured of going into the break sitting at the summit of the league table, were yesterday scheduled to play another tricky match against Sankoyo Bush Bucks.
The defending champions are yet to lose a match this season and despite three consecutive draws, they have still managed to keep a healthy lead at the top. Before last night’s match against Sankoyo, Rollers had opened a seven-point lead on 27 points. Gunners, on the other hand, have been blowing hot and cold but managed to get a point on Wednesday against Miscellaneous with Ofentse Mmipi once again on the score sheet. Mmipi is the joint leading goal scorer in the league, tied on seven goals with BDF XI forward, Keeagile Kobe. He is expected once again to lead his side against the defending champions who are sweating over the fitness of some of their key players.
Rollers missed Edwin Moalosi, Motsholetsi Sikele and Jerome Ramatlhakwana last night against Sankoyo due to injuries. The trio also missed the second leg of the Mascom Top 8 quarter-final against BDF XI on Monday. Moalosi, in particular has been Rollers’ live wire this season and has scored crucial goals including the last minute equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Gaborone United (GU) a fortnight ago. In their absence, Rollers will have to rely on Segolame Boy and Lemponye Tshireletso to support South African striker, Mthokozisi Msomi for goals. Before yesterday’s matches, Gunners were sitting at position four with 17 points.
In Jwaneng on Sunday, Jwaneng Galaxy will take on BDF XI in another match that is expected to thrill. Galaxy have continuously failed to take advantage and reduce the gap between them and Rollers. They dropped two more points on Wednesday against Police XI and have since been displaced in second position by high riding GU. It will be the third consecutive tough match for BDF XI who last Sunday faced Rollers in the Mascom Top 8. They then took on Orapa United last night before they travel to Jwaneng. Orapa United and Security Systems will renew their rivalry when they face off at Itekeng Stadium.
The two sides have already met twice in the Mascom Top 8 with the first match ending in a draw before Orapa United narrowly overcoming The Alarm Boys 1-0 in the second tie. On Saturday, Mochudi Centre Chiefs will be hoping for their second successive win when they take on Sharps Shooting Stars who have also proved to be a tough customer. Chiefs registered a 1-0 victory over Uniao Flamengo Santos on Wednesday night. The Premier League schedule is expected to resume on the weekend of January 6.