Tshepo Molwane
3 April 2008
After trouncing cross-town rivals, BMC 2-1 in an ill-tempered Mascom Premier League match at the UB Stadium last Sunday, Extension Gunners return to the same venue tonight to tackle Police XI.
Of late, the university stadium has been a good hunting ground for the Lobatse side. However, tonight they meet a side that hammered them 3-2 in the first round after leading 2-0. That is one game that hurt Gunners' supporters badly. On that fateful day, it was super-sub David Makakaba, Richard Mwanza and Lapologang Motlogi who demolished the Lobatse arsenal.
Gunners' supporters hope their stars will make the policemen pay for the painful defeat. A win for Gunners will ease their relegation worries but it is not going to be an easy game. Gunners are lying in a precarious 14th position with 24 points from 21 games. They face a Police XI side that has a reputation of living up to the occasion when least expected and tonight might not be different. Under the tutelage of coach Daniel 'Chicco' Nare, Gunners have been playing beautiful football and this has brought confidence to the supporters. They think Nare will save the club from relegation. The Gunners' players have started to play with confidence and are scoring goals.
Tiroyamodimo 'TRX' Mohambi who had a blinder of a game against BMC, will once again be a threat to Police XI. He has been a revelation as Gunners push for survival but the absence of his Zimbabwean striking partner, Nkosinathi Khumalo might affect his performance. Khumalo was controversially sent off against BMC last Sunday.
In the absence of the deadly striker, Mohambi might be paired with talented midfielder Kgololo Leteane, who scored a brace against Police XI in the opening round. Nare told Mmegi Sport that he is satisfied by the performance of his charges and is optimistic that they can get a result against the policemen. "Every game we fight for survival and it will be no different against Police XI. We did not play well against BMC because of the tension which goes with the derby but I hope that the boys will express themselves well against Police XI," he said.
Nare is fully aware that Police XI can spoil their dreams of survival but they will guard against complacency and red cards. In the last five games, three Gunners' players have been sent off. Since the departure of Sthanda Mogwadi to further his studies in South Africa, Police XI have failed to find their rhythm. This might be worrying coach Billy Mabopiwa who has taken charge of the side. Police XI are lying 10th with 27 points from 21 games and three wins will see them survive relegation.
Though striker Richard Mwanza has not been as sharp as before, he remains a big threat to any side. In the middle of the pack, Under-23 star Betsho Pius can be a nuisance. It is high time that Mabopiwa realised the importance of playing Makakaba.
The coach must do something about his back-line. The departure of centre-back Ndiyapo Letsholathebe seems to have left a void that is yet to be filled in the Police XI rearguard. Kick off is at 7pm.
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