19 Jan 2017

BTC Premiership enters its second week after the festive break with two mouth-watering fixtures today, and top of the menu is the top of the table clash between log leaders, Orapa United and Township Rollers.

The game is billed for the National Stadium at 8pm after being initially fixtured for Serowe Sports Complex.

The two giants are currently separated by just two points with United having amassed 27 points from 13 games so far, while Popa have accumulated 25 points from as many games.

With a margin so close, each team knows the importance of a win as it will guarantee the leadership of the log going into the next fixtures.

The two teams’ rivalry will be around for a while as they have also been paired together in the two-legged Mascom Top 8 semi-finals.

Still on Friday, Mochudi Centre Chiefs welcome BDF XI at Molepolole Sports Complex at 7pm. Finding themselves under an unfamiliar position 10 in the log, Chiefs know time is running out for them as they have to up their pace to catch up with the other big boys and occupy a respectable position.

Chiefs started this year with a 2-1 win over Nico United in Selebi Phikwe, thanks to a Jerome Ramatlhakwane brace, and Magosi will be hoping that the long absence of the striker will continue to drive his hunger for goals in many games to come.

BDF XI on the other hand will be looking to overturn the embarrassment they suffered at home in their last game when they went down 0-2 to Security Systems.

That same result will buoy Systems as they welcome struggling Green Lovers at Otse Police College. Systems will further be motivated by the fact that Lovers have so far only won one game since the season began, accumulating a paltry six points in the process and the home side are expected to collect another three valuable points to maintain their grip on the top eight.

At the mining town of Jwaneng, highflying Galaxy FC will play hosts to Sankoyo Bush Bucks, and with rumours of unrest in the Ngorongo camp, they are likely to find the going tough against a well organised team in Galaxy. Sankoyo have reportedly not been training well this week partly due to saturation of their training pitch due to heavy downpours in their region.

The Jwaneng outfit currently occupy position three on the log standings and only a goal difference of three separates them with Rollers. Galaxy will be hoping for a draw in the game against the top two teams.

At Serowe, Miscellaneous are as struggling as their homeboys, Green Lovers and should the status quo prevail for the rest of the season, the Bangwato capital will be without a representative in the elite league next season. Tse Nala also languish in the relegation zone at position three from the bottom. Maximum points at home against distant neighbours, Nico United will come in handy for them.

In Molepolole, rookies Black Forest of Mankgodi will be hoping to keep their fairy-tale in the BTC Premiership going as they welcome a struggling side in Mahalapyue Hotspurs.

Magoleng were close to keeping their unbeaten run in the league before the festive break, only to be humbled by Galaxy FC in the last game.

However, they were back on track against Extension Gunners last weekend when they played to a 1-all draw.

Magoleng are aware that the league is about to enter the second round, which is normally the most tough and will be looking to wrap up the first stanza with as much points as they can accumulate.

Gunners will on the other hand take a short trip to neighbouring Police XI at Otse Police College with the hope that the Jungle Kings will not be on the high mood that saw them seeing off Miscellaneous 3-1 at the same venue last weekend.

Dubbed ‘Phoko e ntsho’ by its supporters, Gunners will be hoping to live up to their nickname by exercising masculinity against the Cops.

Only one game is billed for Sunday at Molepolole when Gaborone United welcomes Gilport Lions. Moyagolele sits at position four and will be looking up to their top goalscorer, Tumisang Orebonye who has always come in handy whenever needed.

He bagged a brace in last weekend’s 3-0 win away at Sankoyo and is currently on seven goals, just a goal behind the league’s top marksman, Terrence Mandaza of Rollers.

All the Saturday and Sunday games will kick off at 3:30pm. BOPA