It's Gumbo vs Mondo

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday May 14, 2010 00:00

At the end of last season, it all pointed to Gumbo's exit after a bright start to the season ended in agony. Rollers lost out on the league race and were booted out of the Coca-Cola Cup by then struggling Premier League side, Mogoditshane Fighters.

This was a disastrous campaign by any standards and expectations were high that the Zimbabwean coach would be relieved of his duties.

But in a surprise twist, the management kept faith in Gumbo and largely remained with the side that did duty in the past campaign save for Itayi Gwandu who was a notable signing from rivals, Gaborone United (GU).

Gumbo repaid the club's faith in him when he landed the league title, which earned Rollers P1 million in prize money.That should be enough to pacify the management and the hordes of Popa supporters after Gumbo's disappointing debut season.

But there is still the Coca-Cola Cup to fight for tomorrow. The hunger to win a double should spur Gumbo and his charges on. The last time Rollers landed both the league and Coca Cola Cup was in 2005 under the guidance of the late Banks Panene.

Gumbo will be eager to join an illustrious list of coaches who have swept both premier league competitions on the domestic front.

He is under no illusion of the task that lies ahead. The Coca-Cola Cup, which carries P500, 000 first prize, could turn out to be sweeter than the league for Gumbo and Rollers.

Rollers are not facing ordinary opponents in the final; they face a formidable Mochudi Centre Chiefs eager to mollify fans after two barren seasons. Both Gumbo and his Chiefs' counterpart, Wesley Mondo will be key in tomorrow's showdown at the UB Stadium.

Gumbo's strategy has been attack and more attack. There is not much emphasis on slow build-ups. Rollers attack at high speed with pacey wingers, Joel '16V' Mogorosi and Edwin Moalosi key in that aspect. The ball does not spend much time in the opposition third as Rollers are quick to launch attacks.

Gumbo fact fileFull name: Rahman Allen Thuthani GumboNationality: ZimbabweanClub: Township RollersDebut season: 2008/2009Honours: Nil (2008/2009)League: Finished 5thCoca-Cola Cup: Knocked out by Mogoditshane Fighters (quarter-final)Second season: 2009/2010Honours: League championCoca-Cola Cup: Play Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the final tomorrow

Mondo has been in Botswana for one season having arrived from Zambia after the departure of Beston Chambeshi. He will be searching for his first trophy in Botswana. The Coca-Cola Cup presents the big Zambian with the first real opportunity of silverware this season after a stuttering league campaign.

Chiefs temporarily pushed Rollers but surrendered midway and have now shifted focus to second spot.While Rollers' fans can forgive Gumbo if he loses tomorrow's final, the same cannot be said about Mondo. He is under pressure to deliver after Chiefs swept all before them in 2007, before finishing league runners-up last season. They were booted out of the Coca-Cola Cup by Uniao Flamengo Santos in the semi finals last season. Chiefs will be eager to reclaim the trophy they last won two seasons ago. The Kgatleng side has got the material and can match Rollers in every department.The black and white outfit's culture has been built around a tradition of flowing, attacking football.

Mondo has not tempered with that system although he prefers to play a lone striker, in most cases, Musonda Mweuku.Chiefs attack with build-ups from the back, with wing backs, Tshepiso and James Kachinga roaming the flanks.Their alternative route is down the middle where Dirang Moloi, whose game has taken a nosedive, operates. Despite a below par season, Moloi is capable of turning tomorrow's game in favour of Chiefs. But Mondo's lethal weapon this season has been the slick former Township Rollers' winger, Sekhana 'Nandos' Koko. Mondo said the Coca-Cola Cup is a different competition from the league, which calls for a fresh approach.'It is a different competition and we have to approach it differently,' Mondo said on Wednesday. He was hoping that Koko, who suffered a muscle pull, would be fit for tomorrow's clash. With Rollers assured of representing Botswana in the CAF Champions League, a win for Chiefs will give them the ticket to participate in the CAF Confederations Cup.

Mondo fact fileFull names: Wesley MondoNationality: ZambianClub: Mochudi Centre ChiefsDebut season: 2009/2010Honours: Nil (Coca-Cola Cup remaining hope)League: Currently secondCoca-Cola Cup: In the finals against Township Rollers.