Satmos, Hotspurs vie for supremacy in tricky ties

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO & MOGOMOTSI BUZWANI
Correspondents | Friday April 29, 2011 00:00

 

FC Satmos are away to unpredictable Sua Flamingoes while Hotspurs play Maun Terrors. Hotspurs' coach, Candy Tshaboeng, said they have prepared well for the Maun side despite training for only two days due to the rains. He is confident that they will put their campaign back on track after a recent stutter handed the initiative to leaders, Satmos. 'We still stand a chance to win the league if we perform well. I have informed my players that there are two sides to a coin. If they perform dismally, we will finish the league in second place and we will have to fight for promotion through play offs,' he said. Tshaboeng is concerned that the First Division North League Committee took long to decide on two disputed matches involving Hotspurs.

Satmos' coach, Stanford Ntini, admitted that the pressure at the top is unbearable. He said their preparations for tomorrow's match were disrupted after a few players turned up for training due to work commitments. He warned that fifth-placed Flamingoes should not be taken lightly. 'Flamingoes are an unpredictable side. In their last game, they managed to win against Boteti Young Fighters. I do not know much about the side. They can surprise us if we take them lightly. We have also realised that there is no game that is a walk in the park in this league,' he said. Ntini added that his players must work hard to keep their hopes alive though it is psychologically difficult.

He is happy that his side is more focused and is scoring frequently unlike before. Satmos lead the table with 42 points; just one point ahead of Hotspurs. After playing Flamingoes, Satmos will be left with Maun Tigers while Hotspurs will face GNT again after their game was called off due to poor light. By the time of the abandonment, Hotspurs were in trouble with GNT leading 2-0. First Division North League secretary, Moraole Sikwane, said the GNT-Hotspurs' re-match will be next week. 'We are busy trying to find a suitable date for the game. But all outstanding matches will be played next week. We have about three pending cases involving clubs that failed to honour fixtures and games that were abandoned,' he said.

In other games, third-placed GNT welcome neighbours, Tonota FC, while Orapa Wanderers lock horns with town rivals, Boteti Young Fighters at the DH Moore. Basement side, Orapa Bucs, visit Selebi-Phikwe side, No Mathata, as BR Highlanders do battle with Maun Tigers in Mahalapye. All games will be played tomorrow from 3:00pm.