PALAPYE: Debswana First Division North new log leaders, Morupule Wanderers will shift their attention to the Orange FA Cup as the battle for the country’s premier knock-out competition goes to the north this weekend.
Last week, teams in the lower divisions in the south, got their FA Cup campaign off the ground.
The start of the competition, which has not been played since 2012, saw 13 goals in a thrilling take-off. The cup reaches the northern zone starting tomorrow. Six Division One sides, nine First Division teams and a Premiership side will be in action. The rest of the Premiership sides will join the competition in the next round.
Wanderers, after overtaking TAFIC in the league, are keen on progress in the cup competition.
Officials of the Palapye outfit said as much as their top priority is to gain promotion to the Premiership, they have a keen eye on the FA Cup. Wanderers coach, Boyo Radipotsane sees the cup as an opportunity to test the waters against Premiership sides. He said they ensured they have depth by strengthening during the midseason transfer window in preparation for the league and the cup competitions.
Radipotsane said their ambitions were big and are focussed on going as further as possible in the Orange Cup. The world over, FA cups are never short of surprises of giants killing acts. Radipotsane and his charges are faced with potential giants slayers from Mahalapye.Wanderers face Central South Regional football log leaders, Santa Green. In their arsenal, the Greens of Mahalapye have Marcelo Salas, Gofa Samuel, Tilly Setlhako and Thato Moganana, who boast Premiership experience.
The four would lead Santa Green in Pilikwe on Saturday where a doubleheader is scheduled. Palapye All Stars and Sua Flamingoes are involved in the earlier kick-off.Radipotsane expressed confidence in his squad. “We are aware teams can shock you in the cup, as much as we are preparing to shock other teams later in the cup,” he said. “It helps if the squad is united and has respect for every opponent. My team has been good at that and I am confident they will be focussed. This is an opportunity for us to see how prepared our squad is for the Premiership. We wish to go as far as possible.”
All Stars face Flamingoes in what has been dubbed a ‘David versus Goliath’ clash. Their last meeting ended in a 5-0 win for Flamingoes.
The only Premiership side involved in the competition, BR Highlanders meet Green Lovers on Sunday. Both sides are fresh from important wins in their previous encounters. Lovers shocked TAFIC 2-1 while Highlanders registered their first win of the year, beating Prisons XI 3-1.
The two meet at the Serowe Sports Complex, where there is a double header, also involving Nico United and Tsabotlhe.
Calendar Stars play Maun United Terrors at the Francistown City Council Stadium before GNT and Eleven Angels meet at the same venue in a Saturday double header. Motlakase Power Dynamos travel to Bobonong for a meeting with Peace Makers. Kazungula Fighters are home to White Diamonds in Kasane at the Kasane Prisons Grounds.
