12 Mar 2015

A clash of titans is scheduled for the National Stadium tonight (March 13) as Mascom Top 8 defending champions, BDF XI lock horns with last year’s finalists, Township Roller.

This semifinal second leg would be a repeat of last year’s final that was won by Matebele in a penalty shootout, and fireworks are expected as BDF, who lost the 2013 final to Gaborone United before outsmarting Rollers in the 2014 final, seek to reach their third final in succession.

The first encounter of this semifinal saw Rollers defeating BDF by two goals to one courtesy of goals from the new signee Jerome Ramotlhakwane and the ever hardworking Segolame Boy, while Bonolo Phuduhudu registered the only goal for Matebele; Rollers were bouncing back from a winless streak of four games.

The game did not bring the sort of sparks the spectators would have expected, yet BDF, the hosts at SSKB in Mogoditshane that day, did display good football but luck was not on their side. Matebele will be facing a tough task to reverse the result over the weekend if they want to see themselves contesting the final and defending their cup title. 

In their last fixture in a premier league game, BDF shared the spoils with Motlakase Power Dynamos, playing to a one all draw over the weekend, and they will be under pressure to revamp themselves. In the league, Matebele are placed on position five with 38 points from 21 games.

On the other side, Rollers, who have not been performing well recently, seem to have regained their momentum after thrashing Sankoyo Bush Bucks by two goals to one over the weekend.  They will come fuming over the weekend to ensure that they book themselves a place in the final.

Popa mentor Madinda Ndlovu will have to tighten up the grip against Matebele gaffer Letang ‘Rasta’ Kgengwenyane’s boys if he wants to restore the pride and reputation of the Blues.  Mapalastina supporters are currently thirsty to see the flair Rollers is known for; in the league, Rollers sit on position three with 43 points from 21 games. 

Another Mascom Top 8 encounter scheduled for Sunday will see Nico United battling with Gaborone United at Selibe Phikwe Stadium. In their first leg encounter Majombolo succumbed to Moyagoleele by two goals to one.

It was a balanced game between the two teams but eventually GU emerged victorious. Both teams displayed good moves, brilliant passes and saves but Tebogo Sembowa and Benson Shilongo’s goals separated the two.

Nico will have to employ different tactics this time against Rahman Gumbo’s GU side if they want to turn around the results, and, with a home ground advantage and an away goal, they will be motivated to get positive results.

Even though they suffered yet another two goals to one defeat against Extension Gunners over the weekend, Nico will maintain the hope that they can reverse the result as cup games tend to have a different approach.  On the league log Nico are placed on position 13 with 20 points from 22 games.

GU on the other hand, GU travels to Phikwe with only one view; to protect their lead and get themselves to reach the final stage.  The Reds will not want to leave any stone unturned as they seek to continue with their club’s proud cup pedigree that earned them the ‘Money Machine’ nickname. 

They will enter the game after having the morale booster of pocketing three points from BMC over the past weekend. Currently, Moyagoleele sit on position four with 41 points from 22 games in the premier league. ENDS