Boitumelo Khutsafalo
13 November 2009
The be MOBILE Premier League action enters its ninth week with some interesting fixtures on the cards. In the first fixture of the weekend, Township Rollers hope to extend their lead at the top when they host BMC at the University of Botswana Stadium tonight.
Victory will see Rollers brighten their title chances but for BMC, defeat will be a major blow in the quest to avoid relegation. The 2007 Coca-Cola Cup champions lie 14th on the standings with only five points from six games while Rollers are perched at the top with 18 points from seven games. After losing valuable players like Tumisang Sekanonyana and Mosimanegape Ramohibidu, BMC are struggling to cope. But the 'meat boys' still have good players including Musa Ohilwe and Thebe Maiketso.
Their defence will have to be tight against a free-scoring Rollers. Terrence Mandaza has found his scoring boots this season and is currently the league's leading goal scorer. He will once again lead Rollers' attack. The current Rollers' squad seems balanced as compared to the previous ones. The defence looks very tight while the attack is sharp as evidenced by the fact that Rollers have so far conceded the least number of goals - five - and scored the most goals - 18.
Nico United, who are breathing down Rollers' neck, have a tricky assignment against defending champions, Gaborone United (GU) in Selebi-Phikwe tomorrow. After going down 1-0 to TAFIC last Sunday, another loss will be a further dent to Majombolo's hopes of keeping pace with Rollers. GU on the other hand have not produced the form that saw them lose only one game and claim the title last season. It remains to be seen whether their 6-2 drubbing of Boteti Young Fighters last Saturday marks the start of good things.
They have been missing key players due to injuries but the return of striker Ronald Chikomo might improve the situation. They have nine points from six games while Nico have 15 points from seven games.
Jwaneng Comets will do battle with Police XI in Jwaneng while BDF XI who are seen as one of the favourites for the title, host Killer Giants in Lobatse. Just like GU, BDF XI have failed to find their form. They have won two games, drew one and lost two. Killer Giants have proved in their matches against two Gaborone giants, Rollers and GU that they are a competitive side with lack of fire-power.
There will be an interesting battle at the bottom of the table when fading giants, Notwane, face Boteti in Orapa. Although it is still early, the result of the match could make the relegation picture clearer. Boteti's form has been dwindling since the middle of the second round last season. They only survived relegation because they collected points in the first round. It is a different matter altogether this season as they have struggled early in the campaign. The same goes for Notwane who nearly went for the promotion/relegation play-offs. Notwane are languishing at the bottom with three points from six games while Boteti lie above the Gaborone side with five points from six games.
Mochudi Centre Chiefs host unpredictable TAFIC in Molepolole knowing very well that only victory will enable them to keep pace with Rollers. They are likely to find it difficult to keep a clean sheet as their first choice goalkeeper, Mompoloki Sephekolo was red carded last Friday against Uniao Flamengo Santos. Sephekolo was seen as Noah Maposa's replacement since the transfer of Barolong Lemmenyane from Rollers failed to materialise.
TAFIC on the other hand have been boosted by the victory against high-riding Nico.
On Sunday, Extension Gunners host Santos in what is expected to be a thriller. Gunners have proved many doubters wrong this season with a very good start. They find themselves in unfamiliar territory; among the leading pack at position three with 13 points from seven games. They however face a youthful side that humiliated them last season with Mogakolodi Ngele as the destroyer. It is likely to be a game of goals as both sides play free-flowing football.
While Bernard Semakwezi is slowly re-discovering his goal-scoring form after moving to Gunners from Rollers, Santos' striker, Ngele, has once again proved that he will be one of the main marksmen this season. Santos have collected eight points from seven games and are lying in position seven. Rookies, Motlakase, have a tricky date against ECCO City Greens in Francistown. All the games kick off at 3.30pm with the exception of Rollers-BMC game, which starts at 7.30pm.
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