01 Mar 2018

Two teams with contrasting fortunes meet in a mouthwatering Mascom Top 8 cup final over the weekend in Francistown seeking redemption in so far as silverware is concerned. 

The winners will walk away with a record P1.3 million prize money and earn qualification to play in the CAF Confederations Cup. 

The 2017/18 competition is the 7^th edition since Mascom started bankrolling it in 2012 and features top eight finishers from the premier league.

Both teams will be looking to equal Gaborone United’s record of winning two cup finals which has stood since the 2014/15 season.

 Both Township Rollers and Orapa United lost out on one of the league’s most prestigious prizes last year, albeit at different stages of the competition.

 While Rollers were kicked out in the semi-finals by Orapa United, the Ostriches on the other hand lost 4-3 in a pulsating final against fellow diamond miners, Jwaneng Galaxy after extra time.

  The two sides meet for the second time in the finals of the same competition in three years. Rollers are the current log leaders and have been perched at the league summit since the start of the 2017/18 campaign.

 After 19 games they have amassed 43 points, having won 13 games, drawn four and recorded only two losses against Miscellaneous and BDF X1 respectively. The Blues have scored 36 goals and conceded 19 which speak volumes about their attacking prowess.

 Despite their 3-1 midweek loss to BDF X1, the Palestinians’ morale is sky high after a successful African foray in the African Champions league where they stunned seasoned campaigners, Al- Merrikh of Sudan, registering a shock 3-0 home victory and losing 2-1 away from home in Sudan.

 If form was anything to go by then one would bet on a Rollers Mascom Top 8 final triumph. However, cup finals are a different territory altogether and on the day, teams are transformed into different creatures and anything is possible. 

 Only a classy performance will carry the day for either side. United on the other hand have seen an improvement in their fortunes since roping in Bongani Mafu and Daniel Nare as coach and assistant respectively.

 They are currently not far off in the packing order of the be Mobile premiership, occupying fourth position in the league. 

They have managed to win nine games, with six draws and five losses. In the process they have managed to score 28 goals and conceded 22.

 Consequently, things have changed in their technical teams compared to last year, as Madinda Ndlovu has parted ways with United while Nikola Kavazovic has replaced Mogomotsi Mpote as the head coach. 

Both teams boast quality players who on a given day can carry the hopes of their faithfuls. In any given day Segolame Boy, Lemponye Tshireletso and Edwin Moalosi can be handy for any opposition and United will have to assign real men to police them. 

Kavazovic is also spoilt for choice as he boasts a team with dependable goalscorers in every position and can call upon Maano Ditshupo, Motsholetsi Sikele and Ofenste Nato to lead the way. Orapa United on the other hand have match winners in Omaatla Kebatho, Onkabetse Makgantai and Jerome Ramatlhakwane and has the potential to spoil the Township Rollers party once more.

 In Lesego Galenamotlhale the Orapa based outfit has a dependable workaholic who can rise to the occasion when given the necessary support on the field.

 Mafu can also rely on his captain, Olekantse Mambo whose performances have been rock solid while Patrick Lenyeletse is also a dark horse who can spring surprises.

  For log leaders Township Rollers, stepping into the Francistown Sports Complex would be akin to a walk into the lion’s den as the pitch still holds painful memories in so far as the Mascom Top 8 final is concerned.

 It was at the same arena during the 2015/16 Mascom Top 8 final where the Palestinians’ hearts where shattered by a galvanized Ostriches side beaming with confidence, handed them a painful 3-1 defeat after extra time.

 Regardless of what happens on Saturday on the field, one thing is guaranteed. They will be a new name engraved in the Tse ditona trophy as both Township Rollers and Orapa United have missed out on the cup in the previous editions. 

While Orapa last laid their hands on the trophy in the 2015/16, Rollers have distant memories of their last win in the 2011/12 season when they defeated Ecco City Greens 3-1. A lot of things have happened since then and the former Francistown giant killing side was relegated and now plies its trade in the Debswana first division north.

 Even their name has changed to Francistown City Greens after parting ways with their sponsor, Botswana Meat Commission. Of all the premiership clubs in Botswana, Popa have made the most appearances in the Mascom Top 8 finals.

 This edition is their fifth final appearance and Mapalastina will not be content that after such a dominant showing in the domestic league, they have only one Mascom Top 8 trophy to show for it.

 This is so because, the mark of true champions is a clean sweep of not only league honors, but also domestic cup completions on offer.

 As for the Ostriches, their two appearances in the finals have yielded only one trophy and they will surely want to erase the memories of last year when Jwaneng Galaxy thrashed them 4-3 after extra time.

 Both teams are not in the finals by default and would want to cement their performance and translate it into momentum for the remainder of the be Mobile league campaign.

 Orapa United seem to be peaking tactically even though they are conceding a lot of goals. Township Rollers on the other hand would like to use the game as a springboard to prepare for their CAF champions league assignment against Young Africans of Tanzania whom they entertain on the 6th of March away from home. 

The fact that Rollers lost during midweek should be a cause for concern, despite the many precautionary changes that the technical team made.

 However, the Popa faithfuls would be comforted by the fact that their team has been impressive in attack throughout the league campaign and have been getting better and turning into a formidable force. 

Against an agile and physical Orapa United, Rollers have to guard against their profligacy in front of goal. They should also be prepared to match Orapa who on a good day can surprise them with a high tempo performance. 

Orapa United also stands a chance of running away with the coveted trophy if they can convert their chances and eliminate mistakes in defence.

 At the end of the day, the team that will stamp its authority early in the game stands a better chance of lifting the trophy come Saturday. BOPA