Miscellaneous fancy Premier League chances

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Friday July 11, 2008 00:00

 

Barring unforeseen circumstances former national champions BDF XI will win the play-offs and get the last slot in the 16-club Premier League but Mpote is still confident that his side can cruise through. Miscellaneous, who came second in the First Division North last season are engaged in the promotional play-offs with firm-favourites BDF XI and another former Premier League side Prisons XI. Miscellaneous have already lost their first two games and need to win tonight and on Sunday and hope that BDF XI lose to Prisons XI to sail through to the Premier League. After faring badly in the first phase, Miscellaneous hope that lady luck will smile on them when they wrap up the play-offs at the Selebi-Phikwe Stadium. Tonight, they take on Prisons XI and finish off their campaign against BDF XI on Sunday. The Serowe side was unlucky to lose to both BDF XI and Prisons XI last weekend as they posted some impressive performances. They were only let down by lack of experience especially in defence.

Mpote told Mmegi Sport yesterday that they have addressed their weaknesses and he is confident that they will compete strongly this time round. 'We have not given up because we still have two games. I have been with the team the whole of this week because I asked to be excused from the Under-20 camp and I am impressed by the commitment of the players. We have been concentrating on the mistakes we committed last weekend and I do think the boys are ready for the challenge,' he said. Before last weekend's games, Mpote did not have time to prepare his charges as he was engaged with the Under-20 team, which beat Gabon 2-0 in Libreville a fortnight ago. This invited criticism from some quarters saying that if Mpote had had time, Miscellaneous could have done better.

'I am not worried about our performance and all I can do is ask our supporters to rally behind the team in Phikwe. They should have confidence in the team and that would enable them (players) to perform,' he said. The good thing about the Serowe side is that they have been able to score goals in their 2-1 and 4-3 loss to BDF XI and Prisons XI respectively. Once again, Emmanuel Thakadu, Innocent Siku and captain Jomo Mgadla are the key players for Miscellaneous this weekend.

BDF XI are top of the play-offs and are confident that by the end of the weekend they would have sustained their Premier League status. Matebele are leading the charts with six points and a single win would ensure that they are home and dry. They take on Prisons XI tomorrow and finish their programme against Miscellaneous on Sunday. 'Our plan is to win our remaining games especially the one against Prisons XI on Saturday (tomorrow). Last weekend, we were a bit sluggish and I hope that we would be better this time around. We have to improve our scoring in Phikwe,' said BDF XI publicity officer Spencer Kesebonye.

As has been the case the previous week, efforts to get a comment from Prisons XI officials proved difficult. Prisons XI coach Stanley Mwaanga picked the phone before hanging up. But the likes of Tatenda Mbikiwa, Moses Magwaneng and Kabelo Motlhabane will carry the hopes of Prisons XI this weekend.