Rollers, Chiefs prepare for title bid showdown
Sport
Chiefs midfielder, Dirang Moloi
Botswana Premier League (BPL) log leaders Township Rollers are not keen on adding their current squad after fine start to the season, while arch-rivals Mochudi Centre Chiefs may add few changes to amend their lacklustre start to the season.
Some teams tumble during the second round of the season, like Rollers did last season. This season, Chiefs had played second fiddle to Rollers hence the club may be forced to open the cheque book in a bid to defend the league title.
The changes to the squad are unlikely to be massive however, especially for Rollers save for players who have struggled to command a regular game time, and may either be loaned out or released. Rollers may open up to the idea of loaning or selling some of its players with Extension Gunners reportedly gunning for at least three of their stars.
Rollers is wary to avoid last season’s pitfall after surrendering its league table lead to arch-rivals following the arrivals of new singing in last season’s January transfer window.
Subsequent to an impressive and undefeated first round performance, Rollers went on to sign three big names; Noah Maposa, Jerome Ramatlhakwane and Dirang Moloi. However the club’s fortunes changed as slump in form saw the Mma-Masire based outfit yield its lead to Chiefs and ultimately finishing behind rookies, Orapa United.
This season, Rollers had another perfect start to the season and by this end remains the only league side undefeated. At the beginning of the season, Rollers added marquee singings in the likes of former players- Joel Mogorosi, Mogogi Gabonamong and Kabelo Dambe. The trio has been instrumental in Rollers’ performance this season.
A cherry on top for Mark Harrison’s lads, Rollers will not be competing in the vexing Confederation of African Football competitions justifying the decision to go quiet on transfer market.
Meanwhile Chiefs on the other side will be participating in the CAF Champions League which will dent Kgatleng side’s title bid against log leader Rollers. Chiefs are occupying the 3rd spot behind Orapa United.
Chiefs had a disappointing start to the season despite adding midfield maestro Dirang Moloi again on their books and former Uniao Flamingo Santos midfielder Jackie Mothatego from Gaborone United.
However, Mike Sithole comprehend that the transfer market does not offer him much options. The Zimbabwean tactician is looking for a striker to offer him more options upfront.
Chiefs could have signed Kaunda during the pre-season, but the foreign qoata requirement meant that the lanky former Nico United goal-poacher was overlooked in favour of former Ajax Capetown starlet Makhanyesili Siwahla.
The South African lad has however failed to break into the team’s starting eleven and is now considered surplus to requirements. He may be allowed to leave during this transfer window according to sources close to the club.
Chiefs’ spokesperson Clifford Mogomotsi told this publication that the club is willing to make some slight reinforcement in the team.
“We have not identified any player yet but definitely we will make some few additions to the squad,” he said.
Mogomotsi swiftly quashed rumours alleging that some players maybe released during the current transfer window. “Transfer window has just opened and it is too early to say that,” he said.
“The club has no intention of releasing any player during this window [transfer],”
Although Mogomotsi may publicly not admit it, the Chiefs will find it difficult in to find the players who will fit their profile in the transfer market.
Magosi technical squad however will be quick to admit that days of “Galacticos” are over, with Rollers boosting the most expensive squad in the league. Chiefs had in its first round league games proved to be lacking depth as compared to its rivals.
The two rivals’ encounter in October saw the Kgatleng giants being outplayed, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat despite having taken an early lead.
Meanwhile Rollers may loan out speedy winger Kobamelo Kebaikanye. News reaching Weekend Sport indicates that the 24 year old has requested the club to loan him in order to find game time.
It is reported that Gunners is also eying Rollers trio, Jerome Louis, Gofaone Tiro and goalkeeper Noah Maposa. The trio had struggled to command a regular place in the starting line up so far.
Sport
It’s do or die for Zebras
The senior national team, the Zebras, is currently in Equatorial Guinea to for an African Cup of Nations Qualifiers tie. Before they departed, the team’s coach, Mogomotsi Mpote, had his troops train in Morocco. This was through the agreement between the two countries.
The agreement between the BFA and the Fédération Moroccan Football Association states that the two nations will work together to organize friendly matches between their respective national teams. It also allows the establishment of football camps for the youth categories (U-15, U-17, and U-20), this includes women’s national teams.
The national team has played over 180 minutes in its two qualifying matches against Tunisia and Libya. Currently, the Zebras, Lesotho and Liberia are the only teams that haven’t scored yet in the competition (this is correct by press time on Friday).
Before the match against Equatorial Guinea match, the local boys who were once known as the whipping boys of Africa in the early 2000s, were languishing at the bottom of the log standings in group J. They lost their first match away to Libya on June 1, 2022. However, they managed to salvage a point against Tunisia last year.
Before the team left for Equatorial Guinea, coach Mpote urged his players to focus on keeping their hopes of making a return trip to the AFCON finals alive after an 11 year absence since the maiden appearance in 2012. He noted that they would not allow their opponents to score and would ensure that they would get a draw.
Despite the various changes that have occurred in the two countries’ football landscape, the two teams have only met once before. In 2010, the local boys defeated the Equatorial Guinea team in a friendly match, which ended in an emphatic win for the visitors. Since then, the two sides have realised different fortunes in FIFA rankings, with Equatorial Guinea ranked 51 places above the Zebras.
Meanwhile, in their last six games, Guinea has only managed to win one of them. They drew with Rwanda and Togo in September 2022 friendlies. They have found the back of the net just twice in their six games. On the other hand, the Zebras, won one match against Zambia and lost four on their way to finishing at the bottom of the group with four points. At the conclusion of their previous AFCON campaign, the local boys traveled to Zambia and secured a draw.
MPOTE CONFIDENT
Despite the recent results of the Guinean team, which have only managed to draw with Rwanda and Togo in their last six matches, coach Mpote is still confident that his team will perform well against the hosts.
According to the head coach, the local boys have the necessary skills and resources to perform well against any country. He noted that the team’s coaches have been studying abroad to gain a deeper understanding of the various aspects of football.
“Tactically they should also be ready. We need your (Botswana fans) usual support, when we come back from Equatorial Guinea, we will go to Francistown, and we will need you. You are our 12th player, and you are very important to us.”
OBED ITANI CHILUME STADIUM CERTIFIED
This week, the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) Tuelo Serufho revealed that the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium will host the return leg of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the local boys and Equatorial Guinea. The venue had initially failed an inspection test conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). However, following the completion of the necessary works, the stadium was allowed to host the match.
According to BNSC Chief, Tuelo Serufho, the various requirements that the stadium must meet included having a designated parking area for the media and spectators, as well as having signage that will guide the spectators. He also noted that the venue now has a world-class media area.
Sport
Jagdish Shah rejects Rollers society
Township Rollers, one of the country’s most decorated football clubs with 15 premier league titles, is finding itself in a precarious situation as its long-term chief financier, Jagdish Shah, threatens to dump them if the society does not bow down to his demand of forfeiting their 20 percent interest in the company.
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Sport
Orange injects P350 000 into Phikwe marathon
Mobile network Orange Botswana is committed to supporting the development of local sport. Through its sponsorship, the company will be able to promote and market the sport. According to Maano Masisi, the company believes that sport can unite people from different backgrounds.
He stated that through the sponsorship of the marathon, the company will help promote healthy lifestyles and unity among the people of Selebi Phikwe.
The Selebi Phikwe Marathon is scheduled to take place on July 29, 2023. It is expected that it will attract international, regional, and social runners. A total of P216 000 has been allocated for the prize money for the first ten places in the 42.2 km race. For the 15km and 10km races, the LOC will give away prizes to the first five places.