27 Oct 2016

The sixth edition of the Mascom Top 8 tournament kicks-off with four mouth-watering quarterfinal first-leg clashes this weekend.

The encounter between inaugural winners, Township Rollers and Police XI at Francistown Sports Complex tonight will set the ball rolling.

The two teams met at the same stage last season with Mapalastina dumping out the Jungle Kings with a 4-3 aggregate score.

Rollers are favourites to advance again and maintain their proud record of being the only team to have made it past the quarterfinals in each of the past Top 8 tournaments.

Though they are yet to click, Mark Harrison’s men have tools to brush aside their opponents.

Inform striker Terence Mandaza who has hit five goals already this season could punish the Police XI defence if not tightly marked.

Lemponye Tshireletso, Joel Mogorosi and Segolame Boy are other goal threat for the star studded Gaborone west giants.

Apart from holding Rollers to a 1-1 draw in the league two weeks ago, Police XI have not convinced in the opening weeks of the season.

They must improve rapidly if they entertain thoughts of halting their losing streak in the Mascom Top 8 quarterfinals.

The Jungle Kings have never progressed beyond this stage since debuting in this competition two years ago.

Rollers public relations officer, Bafana Pheto was confident that his team would dispatch Police and go all the way to lift the cup.

Mapalastina reached the previous three finals but were beaten by BDF XI, Gaborone United and Orapa United.

“We have been unlucky in the past, but we are determined to take this cup home this season.

We are taking a full strength squad to Francistown and our aim is to beat Police and finish off the job in the second leg,” Pheto said.

He explained that midfielder Motsholetsi Sikele has recovered from the knock he picked against Galaxy, while Mogogi Gabonamong has started training after a lay off due to groin injury. Defender Tshepo Motlhabankwe is suspended.

The tournament’s reigning champions, Orapa United will welcome debutants Miscellaneous at Itekeng Stadium on Saturday.

The Ostriches thrashed Tse Nala 4-1 in the opening weekend of the season and should have little trouble advancing to the semifinals.

In Ronald Chikomo, Patrick Lenyeletse and Omaatla Kebatho, they have a fearsome attack that could terrorize the Miscellaneous’ defence which has already leaked six goals this season.

Miscellaneous coach, Russia Chaba is under no illusion of the task facing his team: “They are a strong side with a lot of seasoned players.We have a bad record against them in our league encounters, but this is a cup game. We have corrected the mistakes we committed when they beat us recently and we are looking to advance to the semifinals,” the Miscellaneous’ boss said.
The Serowe based team will miss central defender Simon Mashadza through injury while Kebatshabile Monthe is suspended.

However, Chaba will welcome Dikaelo Poulwe from injury.

Mochudi Centre Chiefs, which has never reached the final despite playing in every edition of the tournament, face a tricky fixture against debutant Jwaneng Galaxy at Jwaneng Stadium on Sunday.

Magosi are against their former coach, Michael Sithole who is still searching for a winning formula but has claimed credible league draws against Gaborone United and Orapa United.

The Kgatleng giants themselves are winless under new coach Bongani Mafu.

Their attack was blunt against Black Forest last week.

The tie is a close one to call, but Sithole has dangerous weapons to unleash on Magosi such as Thabang Sesinyi, Thero Setsile and Morris Ruzivo.

The pick of the quarterfinals is the Monday night encounter between BDF XI and two-time winners Gaborone United at the National Stadium.

Both teams have consistently done well in this competition and presently play good football.

The two teams have crossed paths twice in this competition, with the Reds defeating Matebele in the 2013 final when they won the cup for the first time under David Bright.  

But, Matebele gained their revenge by beating GU 3-0 on aggregate in the quarterfinals last season.ENDS