23 Feb 2018

Having claimed the scalp of one of the top ranked sides on the continent, Sudanese giants Al-Merrikh, Township Rollers returned home with their next CAF Champions League challenge already on their minds

Popa have set up a first round date with Tanzanian side Young Lions after a resounding preliminary round aggregate 4-2 win over Al-Merrikh; a 3-0 win in Gaborone followed by last Wednesday night’s 2-1 loss away in Omdurman, Sudan.

In an interview with BOPA after the Blues touched down at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, Rollers head coach, Nikola Kavazovic said his sights are now on making the group stages.

“We first had to focus on winning against Al-Merrikh and we have done that; now our next big challenge will be getting past Young Africans so we could make it into the group stages,” Kavazovic said.

He said although his team has a Mascom Top 8 final against Orapa United and domestic BTC Premiership action to juggle, the Champions League has become a priority; both the revenue to be generated from reaching the group stages and the continental prestige accruing to the club enticing.

“For us now, the Champions League is now the main priority. Yes we want to keep doing well in the league where we are already leading the log and we also have the cup final.  But reaching the group stages of the Champions League is something that is important to the club and I want to prepare thoroughly for Al-Merrikh,” Kavazovic said.

The Serbian tactician was full of praise for his team for their impressive performance against Al-Merrikh, a respected side who reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2015, having reached the semis of the Confederation Cup just two years before.

“We went there with a game plan to score and then defend. We managed to get an early goal through Joel Mogorosi, and we got to defend well throughout the match.  The first goal we conceded was due to our own errors; the second was due to the brilliance of Al-Merrikh.  Overall I was impressed with the maturity of the team in their tactical application,” Kavazovic said.

Rollers general manager, Sydney Magagane said they were treated well overall in Sudan, despite some of the glitches they encountered.

“We had some problems on the first day as we were nearly given the type of accommodation we had not agreed upon.  But that issue was sorted out.  Also, on the second day, when we travelled to the stadium for a practice session at Omdurman our bus was pelted with eggs.  But overall, the reception was okay,” Magagane said.

Rollers travel to Dar es Salaam to face Yanga, as Young Lions are popularly known in Tanzania on the dates 6–7 March, before hosting their opponents in Gaborone over the weekend of 16–18 March 2018.

The winner will make it into one of four groups of four teams each- which guarantees six matches, three at home and three away.

The top two sides from the four groups would then qualify for the quarter-finals and a knockout format would then resume until the final. Ends