Rollers, ECCO face stern tests

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday October 22, 2010 00:00

Rollers welcome BDF XI at the UB Stadium tonight aware of the significance of bagging three points. Any slip up by the defending champions might afford ECCO the opportunity to wrestle the leadership from them.

So far, the two sides remain unbeaten with Rollers sitting at the top of the log ahead of ECCO on goal difference.The Francistown side is in action tomorrow at the same venue against a faltering Chiefs' side.

While ECCO chalked a 2-0 victory against Uniao Flamengo Santos in Selebi-Phikwe last weekend, Chiefs were on the receiving end, losing 2-1 to Rollers.

It is early days but Rollers and ECCO are slowly edging away from the rest of the pack.

Against BDF XI tonight, Rollers are favoured to get maximum points.

However, under Losikalame 'Six' Keatlholotswe, BDF XI has made steady progress after an indifferent start to the campaign and is capable of springing a surprise. Once again, the defending champions will look up to captain Joel Mogorosi for inspiration.

With Sekhana 'Nandos' Koko subdued in the game against Chiefs, Mogorosi set-up the two goals, which won his side the match.

Rollers' unsung hero in the campaign thus far has been Malawian midfielder, Lawrence Majawa who commands the engine room with authority.

His incisive interventions have too often prevented opponents from finding space in the last third of the pitch.BDF XI will pray for the return of their skipper, Mompati Thuma who missed the last game. His presence, together with Moreetsi 'Resco' Mosimanyana who left the pitch with a head injury last weekend will be key in defence. National team striker, Mokgathi Mokgathi has been misfiring and Keatlholotswe has preferred to start him on the bench.

Mokgathi has to justify his inclusion in Stanley Tshosane's Zebras' side with good performances for his club.The headline game of the weekend will be the clash between ECCO and Chiefs tomorrow.

The 'Green Army' from Francistown start the game as favourites on current form. Barring the 2-2 draw against Rollers, Mamojadiskie's title credentials have not been put to a severe test.

The game against Chiefs provide the former champions with the platform to answer detractors.

Chiefs are a dangerous side when on song. The pace and skill of Koko might be gone, while the dazzling Dirang Moloi has left but Chiefs can still conjure magic.

They have another maestro in Pontsho Moloi, who has not been at his best but can, on his day, win matches.Chiefs will not want to lose a fourth game so early in the season as this will severely dent their title hopes. Statistics show that teams that win the Premier League title do not lose more than three times a season.

Extension Gunners, who stuttered at the beginning of the season losing their first two games, have recovered and now lie third. They play unpredictable Police XI in Lobatse on Sunday.

Dark horses, Gaborone United, face buoyant Motlakase in Selebi-Phikwe tomorrow. Motlakase moved off the bottom of the log last weekend after a 3-0 win over Miscellaneous. Tomorrow, BMC welcome struggling Miscellaneous in Lobatse while Notwane travel to Francistown for a date against TAFIC.

Impressive Black Peril, who held Police XI to a 3-3 draw, play Santos in Molepolole on Sunday.

Nico United, fresh from a 2-2 away draw against Notwane, host TASC in Selebi-Phikwe. All games kick-off at 3:30pm except the Rollers/BDF XI match, which starts at 7:30pm.