Giants set early pace

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Tuesday September 14, 2010 00:00

 

Former champions, ECCO City Greens have joined them at the top, as the league action entered week three. After the weekend action, the three sides are only separated at the top of the table on goal difference.

All of them have nine points from three matches with Rollers in the lead, ECCO second and GU third on goals.  The 2008 champions, Mochudi Centre Chiefs have been relegated to fourth spot with six points after they fell to Extension Gunners at the UB Stadium on Saturday in the headline fixture of the weekend.

Gunners shocked many with a 2-0 win over their perennial rivals through goals from Tiroyamodimo Mohambi and Kgololo Leteane. The defeat saw Chiefs' dethroned from the top by Rollers, 6-1 winners over Nico United on Saturday. ECCO maintained their perfect start with a 3-2 win over Motlakase in Selebi-Phikwe.

The Francistown side has emerged as dark horses in the race and seem to be the only side from the north capable of challenging the big guns.  Otherwise, it was a bleak weekend for teams from the north as the envisaged balance of power remains a mirage.

With the arrival of TASC and Miscellaneous in the Premier League, the number of representatives from the north increased to six. But clubs from north of the Dibete cordon fence continue to sing the blues. The northern clubs are under threat with three sides set for automatic relegation at the end of the season. Currently, the bottom four in the league -Miscellaneous, TAFIC, Motlakase and TASC - are from the north. The quartet is winless in three matches while all clubs from the south have tasted victory.

Black Peril, who are tipped to be among relegation candidates, surprised many when they defeated BDF XI 1-0 on Sunday, Uniao Flamengo Santos beat Miscellaneous 1-0 and Notwane prevailed 1-0 over TASC. TASC are languishing at the bottom of the log standings after two games and one draw against fellow new comers, Miscellaneous in the first game. They lost 1-0 to GU in their second game before falling 2-1 to Notwane on Friday.

Motlakase who survived relegation by a whisker last season continue to struggle having collected only one point after three games. The point came after a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers, TAFIC. They lost 2-1 to Nico in their first match. A 3-2 loss to ECCO on Sunday was just one of the results that have become synonymous with the Palapye side who are playing their home games away for the second season running. TAFIC have drawn two of their three games and lost one.  They face Township Rollers in a game that could push them further down the log. Miscellaneous lost 1-0 to Santos on Saturday. (See log on Page 19)