26 Jan 2017

Township Rollers and Orapa United are scheduled to renew their rivalry in Francistown this evening when they clash in the Mascom Top 8 semi-final.

The duel would be continuation of a fierce battle fought in Gaborone a week ago where Rollers emerged 4-1 victors in the BTC Premiership league encounter.

Both teams have quality players who have what it takes to bang goals in such a high profile game.

Mascom Top 8 defending champions, the Ostriches, would depend on winger, Lemogang Maswena, who has skill, pace and an eye for the goal.

Another player who might torment Rollers is midfielder Tendai Nyumasi who is the current Orapa United top goal scorer.

He also has skills, power to protect the ball and should coach Madinda Ndlovu field left back Lesenya Ramoraka, then Township Rollers should expect to be tossed around given that he is capable of overlapping and his good crosses always torment opponents.

There is also the ever hard working Ronald Chikomo, his ability to turn in the box should scare Township Rollers.

On one hand, Mapalastina equally have astute and sharp players in the likes of Segolame Boy who has the ability to make his team click.

There is also defender Simisani Mathumo, a strong defender, who has a habit of marshalling his territory well and sometimes goes forward to add numbers on attack.

His combination with Tshepo Motlhabankwe, who is also capable of unleashing good crosses into the box, often give opponents goose bumps

Edwin Moalosi will also be expected to break Orapa’s defence apart with his good manuvering skills.

On his day he can break defence apart and make it simples for strikers to score

The Ostriches should also guard against high riding Lemponye Tshireletso. He is dangerous on set pieces and dead balls.

However, Orapa United coach, assistant coach Zachariah Muzadzi, said in an interview that they were prepared for the encounter.

He said in their game against Rollers last weekend, they committed a lot of mistakes and Rollers capitalised on that.

He, however, said they managed to rectify their slip-up during the week at training, adding that they were going to approach the game in a different tactics.

“Look this is a different game, It's a cup game you lose you are out, my team is super fit no injuries no suspension and everybody is available for selection,” he said.

Rollers coach, Mogomotsi Mpote said they had prepared well for the game, adding his players were fired-up and looking forward to that game.

“We cannot deny that we are playing a wounded team, and Madinda is a stubborn coach and I believe his strategy is to humiliate us, “he said.

He said Orapa had proved to be a tough team against Rollers, adding that they had prepared their team psychologically, to forget about the league results.

Mpote said all his players were available for selection and their mission in the second city would be to emerge victorious since that could put them in a good position to qualify for the next round.

On Sunday   BDF XI would host Mascom Top 8 cup debutants Jwaneng Galaxy at National Stadium, and the game is also expected to produce fireworks a BOPA