Top spot beckons for Chiefs

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Friday February 5, 2010 00:00

After beating log leaders, Township Rollers 3-2 in an entertaining game at the UB Stadium on Sunday, second-placed Chiefs are highly tipped to overcome new boys, Killer Giants, tonight at the same venue to go top. 'The game (against Killer Giants) is very important to us because we want to win it and put pressure on Rollers,' said Chiefs' head coach Wesley Mondo yesterday. Magosi have been consistent in the last three years though they are once again second best in the chase for the title they lost to Gaborone United (GU) on the last day last season. Last weekend, Chiefs came within two points on top after overcoming Rollers. With Rollers playing Boteti Young Fighters tomorrow, Magosi stand a chance to go to the summit of the Premier League tonight if they beat Killer Giants. Chiefs have 36 points from 16 games and they remain the only unbeaten side this season.

By yesterday, Chiefs were waiting for four of their players to come back from the national camp. Jabu Pilane, Jomo Moatlhaping, Michael Mogaladi and Sekhana Koko are in the national team preparing for the African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifier against South Africa next month. 'They will be released today (yesterday) and we'll be able to assess them. But I don't think their absence from training this week has had any negative impact on our preparations,' said Mondo. In the first round, Chiefs struggled against newly promoted sides only managing draws against Jwaneng Comets and Motlakase. But they made amends by beating Killer Giants 3-0 in a game they wasted several scoring opportunities. On its day, Chiefs can be merciless and their opponents tonight have to be on the alert to avoid humiliation. Koko, Dirang Moloi and Oteng Moalosi will be once again be the main men for Mondo's charges. It remains to be seen if Mondo would grant left winger Galabgwe Moyana his debut after crossing over from Notwane last week. Moyana had to watch from the bench for the entire game against Rollers as Chiefs produced what has been termed as the 'greatest comeback' of the season.  'Our supporters have been fantastic this season and I expected them to continue rallying behind the team,' said Mondo.

Meanwhile, Killer Giants have promised that they will not let Magosi dictate terms. Though they have not played a competitive game for two weekends, Killer Giants' head coach, Godfrey Tamirepi pointed out that playing Chiefs does not need any motivation. He said that his players know that they have to perform. Tamirepi added that Chiefs are a good side as proved by their comeback against Rollers but they are in for a shock.

'The only problem we might encounter is that we've added new players to our team and we might struggle with match fitness and combinations because of the long lay-off. It's going to be difficult to try things in a competitive game especially that we're fighting relegation,' he said. Sebatana have signed Owen Molato and Lawrence Elijah from Uniao Flamengo Santos, goalkeeper Takubzwa Ndoro from Nico United and striker Tapela Ngwenya from BMC. The Ramotswa rookies lie in a precarious 14th position with 13 points from 15 games.

Other Sebatana players who can give Chiefs headache are former BMC duo of Topo Piet and Lawrence Malope and veteran of talisman Donald Mopako. In the other game tonight, Gaborone United (GU) entertain Uniao Flamengo Santos in Molepolole.

As fate would have it, after meeting each other, the next assignment for both sides is the continental club competitions. GU host South African giants Orlando Pirates at the UB Stadium in Gaborone on February 13 in the CAF Champions League, with Santos visiting Costa Dol Sol of Mozambique in Maputo on Valentine's Day in the CAF Confederations Cup. Tonight's games kick-off at 7pm.