Rugby league kicks-off with two debutantes

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday March 19, 2010 00:00

 

Ghanzi-based Hungry Lions have for a long time shown that they can compete in the top league but they have been excluded because most of their players are professional hunters who are usually busy during the playing season.

The club has since resolved its issues with the BRU with the union conceding that it will partly meet its transport costs. It was felt that transport costs might cripple the club as it is based far away from Gaborone. Lions look a formidable team comprising players who have played in South Africa.

They will start among favourites for the title, which was won by Selebi-Phikwe's EMG Gunners for the first time last season. Whales on the other hand are an unknown quantity and unlike Lions, they do not really have an intimidating track record.

But they cannot be written-off as Gunners proved that there are no minnows in the league. Gunners would have to prove that their win last season was no flash in the pan as they were dismal in post league tournaments. 

Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Cheetahs would want to shed the bridesmaid tag as they have been runners-up in the last three seasons. The last time they won the league was in 2006. Gaborone Hogs won the title in 2007 and 2008.

Hogs were disappointing last season, coming fourth after leading the log for a long time.

The team has talented players but inconsistency might see their title dreams go up in smoke again. The University of Botswana Rhinos are among favourites for the title as they provide the bulk of national team players.

But this has not worked in their favour in the past. This season, the team has recruited promising players.

FixturesSaturdayEMG Gunners vs Whales Selebi-PhikweCheetahs vs Lions GhanziRhinos vs Sharks JwanengHogs vs Tuskers Gaborone