Season preview: Teams geared for delayed start
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday September 1, 2017 14:03
Club: Jwaneng Galaxy
Established: 2013
Position last season: 2
Players to watch: Thero Setsile, Tebogo Sembowa
Home colours: White and Black
Away Colours: Black
Home ground: Jwaneng Galaxy Stadium
Coach: Mike Sithole
Following a successful season in which Galaxy finished second in the league and won the Mascom Top 8, eyes will be on Mike Sithole’s charges this season to see if they can repeat last season’s feat. Sithole has done a major reshuffle to his squad and brought in 13 new players. With several key attackers gone including Thabang Sesinyi, Galaxy moved swiftly to bring in proven goal scorers, Terrence Mandaza, Ayanda Molefe and Patrick Kaunda. With their current squad and the experience of Sithole, Galaxy are expected to mount a serious challenge in all the competitions. However, they face other obvious contenders in Township Rollers, Gaborone United and Orapa United.
Club: Police XI
Established: 1978
Position last season: 13
Players to watch: Betsho Pius, Tapiwa Gadibolae
Home colours: Maroon and gold
Away colours: Gold and maroon
Home ground: Otse Stadium
Coach: Sthanda Mogwadi
The Jungle Kings last season survived relegation by a whisker, beating relegated Nico United by a goal difference. In the second round, they parted ways with Junior Lotlaamoreng and brought back Mogwadi. However, his arrival came at a time when the team was already fighting the dreaded axe. At one point, he complained that his job should have started at the beginning of the season. They have now also reshuffled their squad and brought in some experienced campaigners. Proven striker, Kekaetswe Moloi has since joined from Rollers and expected to bolster Mogwadi’s firepower. Much travelled defender, Gaopatwe Seosenyeng has also been brought in to try and stabilise the defence, which shipped 32 goals last season.
Club: BDF XI
Established: 1978
Position last season: 8
Players to watch: Bonolo Phuduhudu, Mgcini Sibanda
Home colours: Green and Red
Away colours: White and Green
Home ground: SSKB Stadium
Coach: Letang Kgengwenyane
After consistent performances for many season in which they finished in the top five, Matebele struggled to live up to expectations last season. They displayed inconsistent performances, even finishing below Chiefs whose problems off the field were well known. However, they secured a top eight finish, booking a place in this season’s Mascom Top 8 edition. Their position last season set up a quarter-final clash with Rollers. Letang Kgengwenyane has returned as head coach, replacing Louis Setshwane. Kgengwenyane signed defender, Emmanuel Nlu from Orapa United as well as Michael James and Mgcini Sibanda from Black Forest and Security Systems respectively.
Club: Sankoyo Bush Bucks
Position last season: 12
Players to watch: Morris Ruzivo
Home colours: Green
Away colours: White
Home ground: Maun Stadium
Coach: Philani Mabena
Sankoyo have reunited with their former soldiers as they look to improve on last season’s performance where they finished 12th in the league. With Philani Mabena returning as the head coach, Sankoyo have managed to convince striker, Morris Ruzivo to return to the club. The two left together and joined Jwaneng Galaxy two seasons ago. Another former player who has returned is Gosaitse Manuel after his stint at Orapa United.
Club: Security Systems
Established: 2007
Position last season: 6
Players to watch: Phenyo Molefe
Home colours: Red and black
Away Colours: White
Home ground: N/Stadium/Molepolole Sports Complex
Coach: Thaloba Nthaga
The Alarm Boys passed last season’s test with a good grade. In their first ever Premier League appearance and having gained promotion through a play-off after finishing second in First Division, Systems proved their mettle in the elite league and finished sixth. Coach Thaloba Nthaga, looking to maintain last season’s performances has snatched Phenyo Molefe from Police XI, Karabo Gaolebale from relegated Nico as well as Kaelo Kgaswane from Gilport Lions. Other players have been promoted from the development side.