Rollers eye quick revenge over Amakhosi
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday July 21, 2017 15:05
The two giants meet for the second time in a space of a week after the locals went down 2-0 to Chiefs in the semi finals of the Bokone Bophirima Maize Cup played at the James Motlatsi Stadium in Orkney near Klerksdorp, South Africa last Saturday.
Rollers were sunk by a Gustavo Paez brace.
Paez netted in the 18th minute and completed his brace with an 80th minute penalty after Oscar Ncenga was penalised for bringing down Tshepo Masilela in the box.
The Glamour Boys went on to claim the Cup after edging Free State Stars 1-0 in the final.
Popa were without a number of their star players and the core of their defence was engaged with the national team in the preliminary qualifiers of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) against South Africa.
They also missed their new acquisitions in South African dribbling wizard Tshepo ‘Skhwama’ Matete, who suffered a tight muscle ahead of the competition and Ugandan Ivan Ntege who could not travel with the squad because of the visa setbacks.
The duo will be available for the Francistown clash, assistant coach Teenage Mpote confirmed.
“This is a pre-season friendly where we will be trying out different combinations and all our new recruits will be playing,” he said.
“We have a number of youngsters who are also interesting to watch. It’s a pre-season friendly but if we get our combinations right, we will be able to win.” “However, the bigger picture is to get our squad gelling ahead of the season and most importantly avoid injuries. We encourage our supporters and the general public to come and see what we have in store for the coming season.”
Chiefs have announced a 35-man squad that will travel to Francistown for the encounter. The squad includes household names such as Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker, Itumeleng Khune, Eric Mathoho, George Lebese and Willard Katsande, amongst others.
Meanwhile, Francistown supporters cannot wait for the first whistle. Enthusiastic Township Rollers supporter, Terrance Kebosedilekae, a vendor, said they will pack the stadium despite lacklustre marketing of the match.
“This is a huge game for the supporters. Obviously, the stadium will be packed more than it was for the Zebras game. It will be interesting to see Skhwama (Tshepo Matete) alongside Segolame Boy and Ivan (Ntege).”
“The problem with this game is lack of proper advertising and the late arrival of the tickets in Francistown, but it’s Rollers and Kaizer Chiefs.
Therefore, we expect a lot of supporters from all over the country to come and pack the stadium. We have not beaten this team but history is made here and we are going to win.” Botswana-based Chiefs supporters are eagerly awaiting the clash.
Salani Mari, a photographer at Midweek Sun and Guardian in Francistown said he will be donning the gold and black of Kaizer Chiefs come weekend. Mari said he has never watched his boyhood club live at the stadium and this was his opportunity.
“Chiefs have a huge following in Francistown and in the country at large. I am excited and I know all my Khosi friends will also be excited to finally meet the stars that we only see on television. Locally, I support Orapa United and at the game I will be wearing my Khosi shirt.”