Matebele won the competition last year after beating Township Rollers on penalties. The game had ended 1-1 in normal time. Matebele goalkeeper, Takudzwa Ndoro then saved Gofaone Tiro’s penalty during a shootout, handing BDF XI a title they missed narrowly the previous season when they fell 2-1 to Gaborone United (GU) in the final.
They now start the campaign against highly impressive Police XI who have proved their mettle in the league this season. Police XI will be playing in the tournament for the first time since its inception. Missing from action this year are BMC, Mogoditshane Fighters and ECCO City Greens who have been replaced by FC Satmos, Motlakase and Police XI. It will be the first time Police XI and BDF XI meet this season. Expectations are that both the first and the second leg matches will be exciting, considering that the two sides are neck to neck in the Premier League log. BDF XI are currently fourth with 18 points after nine games played. Police XI have also collected 18 points from nine matches and sit at position five. Both teams are level on goal difference.
