Pride at stake

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Thursday April 26, 2007 00:00

 

'Another advantage we have is that the game will be played at night and we have always played well under the floodlights. The only bad result we can get when we play at night is a draw,' he said. He stated that their games against Gunners have always been different from other Premier League matches. However, he asserted that the decision to play the game in Jwaneng might give BMC a boost as they have always enjoyed more support in the diamond-mining town. Buthiye revealed that when they play in Lobatse, Gunners normally enjoy massive support, which sometimes has a negative impact on BMC players. 'Sometimes our players suffer stage fright but I think this time round, we will have as much support as them,' he said.

BMC will once again rely on the services of Young Zebras' players, Musa Ohilwe, Mosimanegape Ramohibidu and Thebe Maiketso. Other players to watch from the BMC line-up are former Gaborone United striker, Kenny Ledikwe and Tiroyamodimo Mohambi.
Gunners' Public Relations Officer, Kitso Dlamini said that they have prepared for the game just like any other. However, he asserted that the game is not going to be easy because past encounters between the two Lobatse rivals have always been tough. He expressed hope that the problems they encountered against ECCO City Greens in their last game had been fixed. 'I think the people clicked late when we played against ECCO City Greens. They did not play well in the first half and only got back in to the game in the second half but we have been working to rectify that at training. We have also been working on our defence which also cracked against ECCO,' he said.

Dlamini added that it will be a blow for the community of Lobatse because the game will be played in Jwaneng. He said that support base is one of the factors that influence the game. 'It is not only the people who would have had the opportunity to watch the game, but even the elders who normally run their businesses outside the stadium will be affected,' he said. However, he paid tribute to those who are doing a sterling job in organising the venues for the game. 'Who knows may be the game would have had to be played as far as Masunga,' he said.

Other than System Mubi who still has to pass a fitness test after suffering a head injury against ECCO, Gunners will have a full squad for the game. It is expected that Ofentse Mmipi who has been a consistent performer for Gunners would be on top form again if Mapantsula are to break the normally tight defence of BMC-led by Under 23 captain, Musa Ohilwe. Tshepo 'Talk Talk' Motlhabankwe and Othusitse 'Sphetho' Mahube will once again be the key players for Gunners.
The game kicks off at 7:30pm.