History against Galaxy in Top 8 defence
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday November 24, 2017 13:07
While Gaborone United (GU) has won it twice, becoming the most successful side in the competition, they have also not been able to win in successive seasons. Defending champions, Galaxy now face an uphill battle as they look to re-write history, but will first have to go through what is expected to be three tough stages which include tonight’s quarter-final encounter against Mochudi Centre Chiefs. The match has been moved to Lobatse Sports Complex from Molepolole after the Botswana Premier League (BPL) discovered that the lights at the Molepolole Sports Complex were not reliable. Mike Sithole, who led Galaxy to their first major trophy last season, is the most successful coach in the tournament.
He has won it twice, first with Township Rollers when the tournament was launched for the first time in 2011 and then with Galaxy last season.
Sithole faces the side where he had two stints and won the league once. However, during his stints at Magosi, Sithole has not been able to win the Top 8. A lot has changed in terms of playing personnel at Chiefs since he left two seasons ago. Sithole managed to snatch both Lesego Molemogi and Ayanda Molefe from Chiefs when Sithole moved to Jwaneng. However he missed out on captain, Lesego Galenamotlhale who remains a key figure at Chiefs ahead of this match.
The Mascom Top 8 becomes the only competition in the league, which has eluded Chiefs in their six attempts. Both sides are having contrasting fortunes in the BTC Premiership. Magosi are struggling to make their presence felt this season while Galaxy, despite blowing hot and cold, are still up there pushing for a repeat of last season’s exploits. When Sithole left to join Galaxy, Pontsho ‘Piro’ Moloi was still a key player at Magosi but the two come face-off on the bench as Piro looks to push for the medal, which he has missed in his six attempts as a player.
At the National Stadium tomorrow, both BDF XI and Rollers will be looking for the second title but first have to face each other in the quarter-final. Both are desperately eyeing the competition with Rollers having failed three times in the final. Having won the league two times in the past two seasons, Rollers badly crave success in the knockout competition as they look to match GU’s record. Matebele on the other hand are far off the mark in the league this season and last won a major trophy in 2014. Security Systems will be making their debut in the competition when they host Orapa United in Lobatse on Sunday. Both Orapa United and Galaxy have given Systems an assignment after winning the competition in their debut appearances. GU take on Extension Gunners at the National Stadium on Monday.
Previous six finals
2011/12: Township Rollers
3-1 ECCO City Greens
2012/13: Gaborone United 2-1 BDF XI
2013/14: BDF XI 1-1 (aet; 5-4 penalties) Township Rollers
2014/15: Gaborone United
2-1 Township Rollers
2015/16: Orapa United 3-1 (aet)
Township Rollers
2016/17: Jwaneng Galaxy 4-3 (aet)
Orapa United