The two teams will battle for maximum points in a tie that pits familiar faces against each other in a 4pm kick-off on Saturday afternoon. Mpote, who has had a love-and-hate relationship with Rollers, is still regarded as a club icon. He remains the last local coach to win the league title with the team whilst he has previously eliminated the Blues on a number of occasions in knockout competitions. This weekend's game will be Mpote's fourth since he returned to Boteti with Orapa United. He started the campaign with Rollers but was relieved of his duties in December.
The Ostriches remain winless in three games under Mpote, with a draw to Nico whilst registering losses against Morupule Wanderers and Security Systems. The team has scored once during this run whilst conceding three times. Mpote is gunning for his first win since his return to the diamond mining town and on the way, stands his former side, Rollers. The two teams have had close encounters but it is the Blues that have the upper hand in the head-to-head ties. Itekeng has been deemed as Orapa United's slaughterhouse since April 2018. Popa are also unbeaten against the Ostriches since December 2021 and will be in Boteti with tails high. But Rollers assistant coach, Innocent Morapedi, said they will be cautious in their approach. He believes there is some bond between Mpote and a number of players from the two camps and it could easily be a tricky and emotional affair on Saturday. "I have played with Teenage for the rest of our lives and he has never beaten me. I remember when I was with another team we almost fought, literally, because I said to him you are my gift from God but I would not say they cannot beat us. It is going to be a very tricky and very emotional game. A few months ago he was with us, and we went to play against him, you must remember that some of the players know and some do not. These are the games that test your character, playing against a coach who was once your coach. You stand up and say he should beat us and that gives you the edge to fight but we will cherish going there," said Morapedi.
The Ostriches know maximum points on the day will move them close to the top half as they still have three games in hand on the rest of the teams. The Blues would like to keep their unbeaten run under Abdelaziz Karkache intact and with an eye on stretching their lead as the chasing pack is stomping hard behind. Just less than 24 hours before the Rollers-Orapa game, second-placed TAFIC face a mighty task when they clash with Gaborone United at the BPSC Stadium tonight. On Saturday afternoon, Pieter de Jongh will watch from the stands as his side, Jwaneng Galaxy, take on visiting Sua Flamingoes at the Galaxy Stadium. Security Systems are home to Morupule Wanderers at the Lobatse Sports Complex.
The single fixture on Sunday afternoon pits Chadibe FC against Nico United at the Francistown City Council Stadium. All the afternoon games will kick off at 4pm. The quartet of Matebele FC, Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Flamengo Santos, and Extension Gunners are having a weekend off due to Orange FA Cup commitments.
