27 Aug 2015

After their best start to a premier league campaign in years, crowd pulling Extension Gunners face a major test when they play Rahman Gumbo’s Gaborone United, in what should be a riveting beMOBILE premiership tie at the National Stadium tomorrow ( August 28) night.

Scheduled for a 7pm kickoff, the contest between Keitumetse Pio Paul’s pacesetters and Gumbo’s Reds, who ended the previous season as Mascom Top 8 champions only to have a stuttering start to the 2015-16 league campaign, is the pick of the weekend action.

Paul has been one of Botswana sport’s newsmakers of 2015. 

He led his national under 23 side to victory over Kenya in an Olympic qualifier, only to be fired before the next game against Zambia for criticising the national association’s decision to pluck his squad of five first team players who were selected for the senior Zebras’s COSAFA Cup campaign.

Dramatically relieved of his duties barely 48 hours before the Zambia tie, Paul, who had also been senior Zebras assistant coach, joined Gunners where he has worked on reviving a sleeping giant.  

Mapantsula, national champions in 1992, 1993 and 1994 with an exciting squad that contained legendary players in the likes of Nephtally ‘Scara’ Kebalepile, Itumeleng ‘Tumie’ Duiker and Joshua ‘Jojo’ Mogotsi, have fallen on hard times in recent seasons. However, under Paul, their positive start to the 2015-16 season has reignited their fans belief in the team. Gunners won their first league game, a 2-1 win away to Sankoyo Bush Bucks, before defeating Gilport Lions 2-0 and then registering last weekend’s morale boosting 3-0 win over FC Satmos.

With players such as Moemedi ‘Jomo’ Moatlhaping, who will be facing his former employers GU, Tshegofatso Chimuku and Mogomotsi Mokoka, Paul has assembled a disciplined team that plays compact and attacks with intent.  

The likes of Kemmy ‘Gweru’ Pilato, Amos ‘Shoes’ Godirwang and Bashin Modisaotsile bring experience and stability to the Peleng giants’ play.

Even after losing to Township Rollers in the pre-season Kabelano Charity Cup, Gunners impressed with their work rate, pressing a highline and making the Popa rearguard look uncomfortable for periods of the match.

The question now is whether Gunners can maintain their position at the top of the log. 

If they are to continue with their impressive run, whether their hard to please fans, who prefer entertaining football, will put pressure on Paul to jettison his disciplined approach for flair?

GU begun the season by defeating Gilport Lions 2-0, drawing 1-1 with FC Satmos, before last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Madinda Ndlovu’s Orapa United.   

Though they have been inconsistent, having lost Kaelo Tshifiwa Kgaswane, Mpho Kgaswane and the effervescent Jackie Mothatego to Mochudi Centre Chiefs, as well as Tebogo Sembowa who has already made an impression at Jwaneng Galaxy, one can only underestimate the Reds at their own peril.

GU still have capable players, among them former Gunners star, Katlego ‘Sissoko’ Keobake, and Gumbo is an experienced mentor who has the tactical savoir faire to outsmart the opposition on the day.  Former Gunners winger Kgololo Kgogobi and Mandla ‘Spikiri Mgadla offer the Reds attacking options on the wings.

Pride will spur GU on. They are likely to work hard not to lose this high profile fixture, while the Panda stand will also be packed to the brim expecting a Gunners win.  

The fans can only anticipate an exciting match. 

This afternoon (Friday), Jwaneng Galaxy play BDFXI at 4pm in Jwaneng, while in the evening’s 7pm kickoffs, Nico United play Orapa United at Selibe Phikwe with defending champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs facing Gilport Lions Molepolole. 

In tonight’s only 8pm kickoff, Township Rollers are away to BR Highlanders at the Serowe Sports Complex.

 

 The weekend afternoon kickoffs, both scheduled for 330pm at Serowe Sports Complex, will see Miscellaneous lock horns with FC Satmos on Saturday, while Motlakase face Green Lovers on Sunday. Ends