Crunch time for Rollers, ECCO

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Friday October 8, 2010 00:00

Both sides have been in good form this  season and remain unbeaten after playing six games each. All the other title contenders, among them, Gaborone United (GU), Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Extension Gunners will be closely monitoring the situation.

GU trail the pacesetters by five points while both Gunners and Chiefs are behind by six. If the statistics are anything to go by, ECCO go into the game as under-dogs. Mamoja-Diskie have always found it difficult to beat Rollers and whether their moment has arrived remains to be seen. There is no doubt however that spectators will, for the entire game, be on the edge of their seats if the match lives to expectation.

Rollers beat ECCO 3-0 last season in Molepolole and 6-3 in Francistown on their way to winning the league title. Both sides have an equal chance of bagging maximum points on Sunday judging by the quality they possess. The outcome of the game could be settled by individual brilliance.

The return to form of striker Malepa Bolelang for ECCO should be a great concern for Rollers' technical team. The central defence has been shaky this season after the departure of Itayi Gwandu to Chiefs although goalkeeper, Kabelo Dambe has always come to the rescue. Bolelang has so far scored six goals in the league. A return to the national team by Bolelang's striker partner, Bonolo Fraizer could be enough motivation for the bustling forward ahead of the titanic clash.

ECCO's defence is likely be tested especially if Rollers' wingers come to the party. Joel Mogorosi's pace will be a concern for ECCO together with the skill of Sekhana Koko who never disappoints in big clashes. The winner of the duel will go three points clear of the loser at the top.

In other games on Sunday, BMC host Chiefs at the old Lobatse Stadium. Judging by their performance against Rollers last Sunday, BMC are no pushovers. They could make things difficult for Chiefs who are looking to take advantage of either a Rollers' or ECCO slip-up.  

Police XI and Uniao Flamengo Santos lock horns at Otse Police College on Sunday with striker Farasai Nyamunamwendo and coach Clever Hunda facing their former club. But Hunda will have to watch from the stands when his Police XI side take on Santos after being given his marching orders in the game against ECCO. TAFIC host Miscellaneous at Francistwon Stadium while winless Motlakase welcome BDF XI in Selebi-Phikwe. The only game tomorrow is between Black Peril and TASC at SSKB. All the games kick off at 3.30pm.