03 Oct 2019

The much anticipated derby between Debswana First Division South sides, Mochudi Rovers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs is billed for Modipane United grounds tomorrow.  

Following relegation of Centre Chiefs from the elite league, supporters of both teams have looked forward to this encounter.

In the past, a clash between the two sides brought Mochudi to a standstill.

Therefore, Modipane is expected to be fully packed, more especially since Magosi supporters vowed to fully rally behind their team in a quest for instant return to the premier league.

The rivalry between these two sides dates from many years ago and while it waned over the years, some people still expected sparks to fly.

Former Rovers player, Kwapeng Modikwe, explained in an interview that the rivalry begun the day after Chiefs were formed.

Mochudi Rovers were formed by the late Kgosi Linchwe II in 1963, while Chiefs were founded by a group of people in 1972.

During its formative years, Mochudi Centre Chiefs recruited players from Rovers and Modikwe said this was the beginning of the rivalry since Rovers felt they could not be beaten by their former players.

He said in the past, the games between the two sides attracted a huge crowd with major teams opting to postpone their games because they could not miss a classic encounter.

Reports were abound that Chiefs used unorthodox methods to recruit players from Rovers, although some supporters believed both teams were at fault.

In the early years, before the formation of the national league, the two teams played in one-day tournaments.

There were no sponsors and the teams each contributed for the prize money, with the winner either taking cash or a bull.

During these years, players only played for the love of the game with the only reward being personal gratification or, as one supporter said, for attracting the opposite sex.

A story is told how Kgosi Linchwe used to recruit players from Magosi a night before the tournament and upon realising this, Magosi officials hid their players in undisclosed locations either in Gaborone or within Mochudi.

As for the Saturday encounter, it will be a tricky one for both sides since Magosi won all their three opening games, while Rovers sat in the bottom half of the 12-team league.

On paper, Magosi would have an upper hand, looking at the calibre of players they have, having mixed experience with skillful young players, amongst them goal poacher Koketso Mphokhothi, who has netted in all games, coming as a substitute.

In other First Division South games, Red Sparks would host Masitaoka, while Broadhurst United take on Ncojane Young Stars at SSG grounds.

Mogoditshane Fighters would welcome Holy Ghost and Uniao Flamengo Santos play against Jwaneng Fighters while Black Forest would be home to Matebajana.

All games are on Saturday and scheduled to start at 3:45 pm. ENDS