Chiefs face unpredictable Notwane

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Friday December 3, 2010 00:00

After suffering a slump in the middle of the first round Chiefs have been collecting maximum points to revive their quest for top honours. Notwane on the other hand have found the going tough and the departure of coach, Luke Masomere has made things worse. Christopher Rabalago was roped in as interim coach and already, there are doubts whether he commands respect from senior players.

When Notwane lost 4-0 to log leaders, Township Rollers a fortnight ago, Rabalago did not field some key players.

His decision back-fired as his young charges had no answers to Rollers' attacks. When Notwane face Chiefs on Sunday, it will not be just three points at stake. The two sides have not had a good relationship because Chiefs have adopted the habit of poaching Notwane players with increasing frequency. Toronto fans have been left with a feeling that their team is being used by others as an academy to groom players for them. The trend started when Chiefs snatched Pontsho Moloi. Recently Mpoeleng Mpoeleng, Dirang Moloi and Galagwe Moyana have joined Chiefs from Toronto. Notwane have on several occasions, come close to defeating Chiefs in recent years, and finally got some measure of revenge in the last campaign, beating the Kgatleng side 3-1.

Pako  Moloi who has continuously been linked with a move to Chiefs holds the key to a Notwane victory on Sunday. At Chiefs, Zebras' striker, Moemedi Moatlhaping has been in scintillating form of late and currently leads the goal scorer's charts. He will be a handful to the Notwane defence with his strength in the air and intelligent runs and use of blind spots.

Tomorrow, wounded Rollers host TASC at the Molepolole Sports Complex. Rollers tasted their first loss of the season when they went down 2-1 to Police XI on Sunday. 

Rollers have said they will not take part in the CAF Champions League to focus on retaining the be MOBILE Premier League title.

TASC on the other hand have been struggling since the start of the season and it remains to be seen if they can cause an upset tomorrow. A victory for TASC might mark a turning point in a campaign that has so far been lifeless. Motlakase and Uniao Flamengo Santos meet in Selebi-Phikwe tomorrow while on-song Nico United host Extension Gunners at the same venue immediately after the Motlakase/Santos game at 7pm. TAFIC will hope to maintain their winning streak when they host struggling Black Peril in Francistown.

On Sunday, BDF XI and Gaborone United (GU) lock horns at the SSKB Stadium while BMC and Police who both registered victories last weekend meet at Lobatse Stadium. Miscellaneous host second placed, ECCO City Greens in Selebi-Phikwe. All games start at 3.30pm except the Nico-Gunners duel at 7pm and the Motlakase/Santos game at 3pm.