Ramotswa braces for derby

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Friday February 11, 2011 00:00

 

The two teams meet in the second round of their First Division South league match at Siga grounds tomorrow.

Letlapeng's new coach, Timmy Setswe's character and tactical acumen will be tested as this will be his toughest challenge since he took over from Steven Sebikiri a few weeks ago. Players need no motivation for this encounter, which has often produced not only sparks but tense moments as well.

Letlapeng are in high spirits after their 4-2 victory over struggling giants Prisons XI in Setswe's first game in charge last Saturday. This could motivate Setswe's charges as he seeks to put one over master tactician Botshelo Pelokgosi of Killer Giants. Naughty Boys hold a psychological advantage over their Siga opponents after they won the reverse fixture 1-0.

Pelokgosi acknowledged that it would be a challenge facing Letlapeng but that his opponents would be making a fatal mistake to rely on history.

'They had their Christmas and this is now our time. My players are looking forward to the challenge. In fact we relish this challenge and we promise total war, we are leaving nothing to chance because apart from the fact that it is a derby game, we want to add to our 21 points.

Our supporters have been fantastic, they attend both matches and training sessions regularly, they really want to be part of the team's fight to get back to the Premier League and I have observed that the players are motivated by their presence,' Pelokgosi told Mmegi Sport. Killer Giants are third on the log with 21 points, just a point behind second-placed Jwaneng Comets and two behind log leaders, Mochudi Buffaloes. Letlapeng coach, Setswe, believes pressure would be on Killer Giants who would be all out to avenge their first round defeat.

'They will be looking for revenge after their first round loss and this could work against them. But we are not taking them lightly and we would not be thinking about the first round game, we want to win this game to improve our position. My team's performance against Prisons XI was impressive and we just have to work on improving that performance. I have faced Killer Giants while I was still with Tlokweng United and to me they are a team like any other,' Setswe said.   

After a shock 4-0 loss to minnows Kanye Swallows last weekend, Jwaneng Comets would go for broke when they meet Masitaoka in Molepolole on Saturday. Comets handed over their log leadership to Mochudi Buffaloes and against Masitaoka they meet a team that is also determined to secure its place in the league after a series of poor results saw them dropped into the relegation zone.

Bottom of the log, Young Strikers travel to Moshupa for a date with fellow strugglers Mathaithai who will be motivated by their recent win 2-1 win over Queens Happy Hearts. Prisons XI will be hoping for better luck when they face Mogoditshane Fighters at The Village on Sunday.