23 December 2008
Although the season has just started, the future looks bright for Gaborone United (GU) in the 2008/2009 Be Mobile Premier League season while Uniao Flamengo Santos is going through a rough patch
Gaborone United (GU)
'Moyagoleele' are not only playing exciting football but also winning games. They look to be on course to win the league. They are currently perched at the top of the Premier League log standings with 19 points from eight games.
GU boasts the best squad in the league. They have about two equally gifted players for every position. They can only avoid losing a player in the January transfer window. Although they are currently linked to other players, including Notwane's Dirang Moloi, Mmegi Sport believes GU needs no major signing in the January transfer window.
Township Rollers
Rollers started this season on a high note. They seem to have rectified their mistakes, which saw them struggling early last season. Without focusing too much on big name players like in the past, Rollers signed capable and still hungry players in the likes of Terrence Mandaza, Mohammed Chawila, Tebogo Mothusi and young goalkeeper, Kabelo Dambe.
Mothusi has not made his official debut for Mapalastina as he is still nursing an injury. They need to sign an attack - minded natural distributor in the midfield as Mothusi might need some time to recover from injury. Township Rollers should avoid losing the likes of Bernard Semakwezi, who is finding the going tough. Semakwezi only needs to regain his confidence and his services might be desperately needed in cases of injury and loss of form to other strikers on the team.
BDF XI
'Matebele' are one of the teams to watch this season. They are also a side that struggled last season and seems to have risen to the occasion. They avoided relegation after overcoming two first division teams, Miscellaneous and Prisons XI, in the playoffs. They need one or two strikers in January to boost their striking department which is currently doing well.
Extension Gunners
Gunners have surprised many people this season. The slow starters did the opposite this season showing class right at the very beginning. Unlike other big teams, Gunners do not have many big name players. They have a coach, Daniel Nare, who knows how to bring the best out of the players. They need about two to three experienced players. Should they maintain their form. They are one of the teams gunning for the P1million first prize.
BMC
'Ezinkomo' started the season well but the long break seems to have distracted them. They are struggling to regain their form and seem to be firing blanks. They seriously need a goal poacher. Defensively, they look very solid.
ECCO City Greens
The former champions are finding the going tough. They have been inconsistent and unpredictable. They surprisingly won the tough games but lost games they could have easily won. ECCO City lost several key players before the start of the season. Tebogo Sembowa, Moses Pelaelo, Bashin Modisaotsile left to join Notwane, Boteti Young Fighters and GU respectively. They seriously need to find equally gifted replacements if they are to compete with the likes of Rollers, GU, BDF XI and Gunners.
Boteti Young Fighters
The Orapa side is not doing badly. They are a side that never gives up. They lost two important players, Timothy Phiri and Derrick Bandibanga before the start of the current season. Bandibanga in particular was the reason Boteti scored many goals last season. They have a very balanced team with a seasoned coach, Kenneth Mogae. They definitely need a striker who can emulate Bandibanga.
Notwane
Toronto is one of the disappointing teams this season. Despite acquiring good players in the last transfer window, they are struggling to keep pace with the other giants. Late payment of players, which has led some to abscond from games, seem to be their major downfall. This is one of the teams that needs to get its act together if it wants to compete for the P1 million prize money. The return of coach Paul Moyo is a major boost but the management needs to sort out administrative problems quickly. They lost out on signing Terrence Mandaza who joined Rollers. They need to get another striker of Mandaza's caliber to reduce the workload for Tshepiso 'Sox' Molwantwa.
TAFIC
The cash-strapped Francistown side are also finding the going tough. They are one of the most supported teams in the league. Having struggled financially this season, TAFIC's budget is limited but they nevertheless need to bolster their squad. They had very influential players in Mohammed Chawila and Mlamuli Phakathi whom they lost to Rollers and BMC.
Mogoditshane Fighters
Fighters lost several players before the season started. Striker, Pako Moloi and midfielder, Kitso Kowa, returned to Notwane while long serving midfielder, Masego Ntshingane, joined neighbours, BDF XI. They need to bolster all the departments if they are to find themselves in a better position.
Great North Tigers (GNT)
The Premier League rookies won only one game, drew two and lost five. They might find themselves returning to the First Division if they do not register experienced players who can compete at the highest level by January.
Police XI
They are one of the teams that are struggling to find the winning formula. Under the tutelage of championship winning coach, Barry Daka, Police XI has won only two games. They have relied too much on goal poacher, Richard Mwaanza, and need to find another striker who can partner him.
Naughty Boys
'Dinoko' are another side that might find itself returning to the lower division. They are struggling to get the goals. They do not look very bad at the back but an experienced midfielder and a striker or two in January will give them stability.
Nico United
Nico surprised many people with their second round display that saw them finish fourth in the league last season. But the very same Nico are fighting for their lives in the Premier League with only one victory.
They have conceded the most goals in the league, at least 16. The resignation of coach Madinda Ndlovu might make things worse for the Selebi Phikwe side. Ndlovu turned Nico into a formidable side last season after the signature of two Zimbabwean players, Master Masiku and Master Masitara. Both players are currently being scouted for by Gaborone sides with Masiku reportedly on Rollers' January shopping list. Nico will have to do their best to keep the two players and the incoming coach will have to make important signings in order to improve their chances of avoiding relegation.
Uniao Flamengo Santos
Santos are currently perched at the top of the log standings with only one point. The current Coca-Cola Cup champions have been losing game after game and this has resulted in former coach, Christopher Chibuye, stepping down.
Despite producing some of the best players in the country, they find themselves fighting for their lives. With age catching up with some of their defenders, Keabetswe Jenamiso, could have been key to their survival but the Under-23 player joined ECCO City Greens before the start of the season. They also lost midfielder, Jackie Mothatego to Notwane. They need to open their cheque book in January to get replacements.
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future doesnt look bright fo GU why cant you people wait nd see, why cant you talk about chief ( MAGOSI) WHY? UM a Magosi fan nd hei we dont work with hatred nd bitter people, no team will touch magosi, not at al, GU are small kids. their next game i tell you, they will think maybe they are day dreaming, it was their last win from there i see foul. nd they are still gonna work foul.
Um sorry to say this but facts are facts. hei understand me here i aint bitter. .pumpu.......dats my name
but why are people so bitter looking at mochudi centre chiefs, magosi, all teams have been mentioned and how they are playing for this season except Mochudi center chiefs, but what i can assure u is magosi are going away with this million. you can write all the teams nd talk about their play, leaving magosi behind is really nothing, we are going to win