05 Nov 2015

The soccer fraternity will this weekend shift focus to the beMOBILE Premiership after a break to make way for the Mascom Top 8 Cup.

One of the interesting fixtures for the weekend will be between Township Rollers and Police XI in Molepolole on Saturday (October 7). Rollers defeated Police 4-2 in the Mascom Top 8 Cup last weekend. 

Some pundits believe the loss was an injury to the Jungle Kings as they felt that Rollers stole the victory from them. Therefore,  the Saturday will inspire them to come with all guns blazing to seek revenge.

Rollers on one hand will want to avenge the loss they suffered at the hands of Police in last season’s league campaign. 

Therefore, their encounter has hallmarks of a scintillating encounter. 

Rollers have reason to expect victory since they would Mapalatina to stamp their authority and maintain the breathing four-point gap between them and second placed BDF XI, who were unexpectedly defeated by Miscellaneous in their last league game.

Rollers lead the log standings with 30 points from 12 games, while BDF XI and Orapa United are placed second and third with 26 and 25 points respectively.

Rollers are favorites in this game and coach Mark Harrisonwould be spoilt for choice because his team is blessed with an array of talent. 

Despite missing their reliable centre-back, Kaone Van der Westhuizen who limped away with a groin injury against Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Rollers will not be worried as they have a pool of good players to pull from, and Popa will also be buoyed by the current good form of Maano Ditshupo in the midfield.

The midfielder is expect to come into the game with a high morale, having been officially handed the captain’s arm band this week, topped with a recall to the national team after some long absence.

Police XI on the other hand will go into the game under pressure to return to the form they were in when the league started, stringing five wins and a draw in their first six games, something that helped them bask in the limelight for some time under the caretaker coach, Maitumelo ‘Junior’ Lotlaamoreng. 

Their good run somehow started dwindling after the arrival of Zimbabwean coach, Maxwell ‘Malume’ Moyo when they lost their first game to Gaborone United, and ever since then they had been trickling down the log standings. 

Police captain, Betsho Pius is on top form and Popa will undermine him at their own peril. 

The former national Under 23 player has an eye for goals. His pace and dribbling skills can be a menace to any team. The Jungle Kings have so far registered four losses in arrow which leaves them at position six on the log with 19 points. The game kicks off at 4pm. Ends