Intriguing Coke draw on the cards

DENNIS KEAGILE
Correspondent | Tuesday February 23, 2010 00:00

 

The last time we had the so-called big guns in the Coca-Cola Cup final was in 1994 when Township Rollers beat Gaborone United (GU) 4-1. It is not always that we find the soccer gods smiling either on the teams, sponsors, spectators or the association.

But looking at the last eight teams in the quarterfinals of this year's Coca-Cola Cup, there is no doubt that the likes of KBL marketing director, Sesupo Wagamang together with his team and the BFA are jubilating. The soccer gods had indeed conspired to have all the big guns (Centre Chiefs, Extension Gunners, GU, ECCO City Greens, Mogoditshane Fighters, TAFIC, Rollers and Uniao Flamengo Santos) all in the quarterfinals.

And when the draw is conducted today at the Riverwalk mall in Gaborone, there is no doubt that the excitement and the anxiety will be something out of this world. It will be one of the most intriguing draws in many years considering the pedigree of the participating teams. Any mention of a Chiefs-ECCO or Rollers clash generates celebration even before the game is played. Perhaps, the BFA and Coca-Cola chiefs ought to plead with the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) together with the University of Botswana Stadium (UB) management to allow for the hosting of at least two games in a week. Analysts believe playing some of the matches either in midweek, Fridays or weekends would boost attendances.  Molepolole is not so conducive because residents there seem not to be interested in the watching games.

But the big question is: Will Chiefs draw ECCO City Greens again or will they draw Rollers? Both Chiefs and Rollers are itching for a third meeting following their star performances in the premier league where Chiefs came from 2-0 down to win the intriguing clash 3-2. Who really can forget the quarterfinal match between Chiefs and Gunners in 2008 and then last year between ECCO and Chiefs in Francistown?

In 2008 a Chiefs official,  Morakanyane Sebele collapsed after one of his player, Derrick Badibanga, missed a sudden death penalty kick. Spice that up with a possible clash between GU and Rollers. It's like putting up eight super models or beauties in front of a man and you want him to choose one.

Chances are he will choke with excitement or anxiety. This is the nature of this year's Coca-Cola Cup quarterfinal games. It will be akin to watching seven cup finals in a row because what is certain is that two big guns will reach the finals.  All the eight teams have been to the finals before but only GU and ECCO have not won it before. 

Of the eight, Fighters and Rollers have won it the most, while the rest have won it once.