Boitumelo Khutsafalo
19 December 2008
It's the big weekend in the Be Mobile Premier League. Not only is the weekend having some potentially interesting clashes but also the last before the league goes into Christmas recess.
It is no secret that everybody wants to end the year on a high note and there is no better time for any Premier League team to do that than by winning their encounters this weekend.
It is the weekend that sees Boteti Young Fighters travelling to the capital city two weekends in a row.
They entertained another giant, Extension Gunners last weekend and this time around they find themselves having to deal with stopping and trying to overcome one of the on form Premier League sides, Township Rollers.
Although they struggled last season, Rollers started this season like a house on fire, beating Naughty Boys 3-1 but October 12 will be the day that many supporters will cherish and remember for a long time. It was the day that many Mapalastina die-hard supporters had anticipated. A day that Rollers hammered rivals, Kgatleng side 4-1. It was the day that reminded supporters of the 2004/2005 season in which Rollers won the league as well as the Coca-Cola Cup. Although some believed that Rollers' dominance in that game was only because they wanted revenge as they went on to lose their next two games, against Gaborone United (GU) and BDF XI, they proved that they are in contention for the title when they won the next two games and drew one. The 4-1 drubbing of the league champions was indeed proof that Rollers have quality this season.
Complacency seems to have been the main reason for their defeats against GU and BDF XI. After winning the last two games, against Nico United and Great North Tigers (GNT), Rollers' big test, after the two important victories, will be tonight.
Since getting promoted to the Premier League, Rollers have failed to break them in two occasions.
The two teams drew 2-2 in Orapa in a game that Boteti staged a dramatic comeback to force a draw after trailing 2-0. The two teams played to a goalless draw in the second round of the league.
Much has changed since then. After being swamped with all kinds of crisis from their early Coca-Cola exit, Kabelano Charity Cup failure and to the sudden coaching switch, Rollers' supporters now find themselves in happier times once again.
They might not be perched at the top of the log standings but together with leaders GU, they are both playing some of the most celestial football in the league. Coach Rahman Gumbo seems to have injected the energy into the side.
With fast and skilful wingers in Thapelo Balepi and Joel Mogorosi, their opponents have struggled to deal with Rollers on the sides, especially in that the two wingers normally swap positions during the game. Terrence Mandaza continues to torment defenders and although teams usually deploy a man-marker to close him down, he normally sneaks away to score Rollers' crucial goals. Mohammed Chawila has been struggling with injury but is also a very special player who can play both as a striker and just behind the front two.
Defender Timothy Phiri who has been doing a sterling job for Mapalastina as a right back, will be facing his former team for the first time.
Boteti on the other side has had a good season so far this season. Although Rollers lie in the third position with 13 points from seven games, only three points separate them from Boteti who are currently lying in sixth position with 10 points from six games.
Although they lost striker Derrick Bandibanga to the Kgatleng side, they still have experienced players, among them Kgakgamatso Pharo and midfield maestro Moses Pelaelo. In the other interesting fixture, BDF XI and Notwane will lock horns in Molepolole also tomorrow.
The game kicks off at 5pm. Notwane will go into this game under-pressure after failing to break Premier League rookies, GNT last Saturday.
BDF XI on the other hand looks to catch up with GU, Rollers and defending champions at the top. Gunners host TAFIC at UB Stadium, Nico and Uniao Flamengo Santos fight for survival in Selebi-Phikwe. The games kick off at 4pm.
The only fixture on Sunday will be between Naughty Boys and Mogoditshane Fighters at SSKB at 4pm.
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