Prisons XI bite the dust

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Tuesday May 28, 2013 00:00

 

The three sides will be campaigning in the Debswana First Division next season after failing to prove their mettle in the Premier League. BR Highlanders were the first to drop to the lower division before Fighters joined them last week. After Fighters' relegation, it left Prisons XI, Miscellaneous and Notwane in a bitter fight to avoid the drop.Prisons XI were supposed to beat BDF XI on Sunday to stay in the relegation fight but met wounded BDF XI who a fortnight ago lost in the final of the Mascom Top 8. BDF XI won 3-2 on Sunday to send Prisons XI packing to the First Division after just one season in the elite league.

The warders got promoted to the Premier League through the promotional Play-offs where they defeated BR Highlanders in a penalty shootout last year. BR Highlanders later got promoted as well following Police XI and Security Systems' loss of affiliation with the Botswana Football Association (BFA). Prisons have won only six matches, drawn eight and lost 15. They are left with one match against BR Highlanders, which will have little effect on both sides' positions. A victory for Prisons will take their tally to 29 points while Notwane already have 30 points. Miscellaneous played to a 1-1 draw with Mochudi Centre Chiefs on Sunday and also survived with one match remaining against Uniao Flamengo Santos.

BDF XI came into the match with the loss against GU still fresh in their minds and a loss against Prisons XI would have not only dented their confidence but would have reduced their chances of finishing runners-up. The victory has led them to position three on the log with 54 points, just a point behind second placed Nico United. Both Nico and BDF XI are left with one game each. BDF will play Motlakase at Selebi-Phikwe Stadium this Saturday, while Nico will meet Extension Gunners at the New Lobatse Stadium the same day.

GU and ECCO City Greens also have a chance to finish the league in the second position if they win their last match against Notwane and their rivals lose their last matches. GU are currently placed at position four with 53 points, while ECCO are in position five with 52 points. ECCO will take on BMC in the last game at Francistown Stadium on Saturday.