Be MOBILE League reaches halfway mark

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday January 15, 2010 00:00

 

It has been an eventful first half of the season with former champions, Mochudi Centre Chiefs being the only side that remains unbeaten.

The season started with Selebi-Phikwe side, Nico United assuming the leadership of the Premier League for probably the first time in its history. But they expectedly fizzled out and are now in mid-table.

Extension Gunners, known for their fight against relegation in recent seasons, got their campaign to a good start.

Rollers stayed in touch despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Uniao Flamengo Santos. Once the Rollers juggernaut started to roll, the Blues ascended to the summit and have never looked back. Defending champions Gaborone United started slowly and do not seem to have recovered yet. They find themselves a massive 17 points behind the log leaders going into the half way stage of the campaign.

Chiefs did not have a lightning-quick start but they have clawed their way back into contention and seem to be the only side ready to challenge Rollers' dominance.

The 2007/2008 champions are eight points behind Rollers with a game in hand. Gunners are having a good season although they have surrendered second spot to Chiefs. The Lobatse side is third and look set for a creditable finish at the end of the season. The biggest disappointment in the first round should be Notwane who went 11 games without a win, but are suddenly resurgent, winning two successive games.

Notwane roped in Ernest Kofi, the only Ghananian coach in the Premier League, and the move is beginning to pay dividends as 'Sechaba' are playing some enterprising football.

The biggest game of the season thus far should be the tussle between Notwane and Chiefs tie and the Chiefs/Rollers tie, both played at the UB Stadium. Both thrilling games ended in 2-2 draws with fans leaving the stadium with full value for their money.

Keaketswe 'Mara' Moloi's goal against Notwane is any collector's item and remains a contender for the goal of the season. With scores tied at 1-1, Moloi, who had just come on as a substitute attacked from the right and as the Notwane defence retreated, the striker fired an unstoppable shot into the top right corner, leaving goalkeeper Botlhe Moralo stranded. In terms of the goalscorers' charts, feared Rollers' gunslinger, Terrence Mandaza has been ruling the roost. Mandaza is fast putting daylight between him and the chasing pack as he has notched 16 goals to his nearest rival, Farisai Nyamunamwendo's 11.

The chopping and changing of coaches, is, as expected, in full swing. Championship winning and twice coach of the year Mike Sithole parted ways with GU. He was replaced by Manfred Chibanga. BMC, who have been largely disappointing sacked Boyo 'Oris' Radipotsane and roped in Sithole. Bennedict Bayani requested the Motlakase management to bring in a coach who would dedicate his full-time to the team. The rookies responded by hiring renowned Zimbabwean coach, Madinda Ndlovu.  Francistown side, TAFIC endured a turbulent period characterised by financial difficulties. The turbulence has transferred to on-field performances and the club finds itself just above BMC on the log.
The death of reigning be MOBILE Premier League Player of the Year, Joseph 'Big Joe' Phetogo marked the first round's saddest moment.