20 Feb 2020

Diamond Chiefs players and supporters are buzzing with excitement ahead of their Orange FA Cup clash with Extension Gunners on February 22, according to the club’s president Herry Engleton.

The ‘David vs Goliath’ clash takes place at the Diamond Chiefs ground at Letlhakane.

The difference between the two teams is massive.

Gunners are a household name of local football and have won five major trophies over their four decades continuous campaign in the top division.

Chiefs on the other hand have for a long time played in the modest reaches of Boteti regional league.

However, in an interview on Wednesday, Engleton said his club was pumped up by the prospect of facing one of the giants of local football.

“Our players are looking forward to the game and have been turning up for training in good numbers and working hard.

The motivation is high. Everybody wants to play against the likes of Dirang Moloi. We have a full squad, no injuries nor suspensions. We are ready for Gunners,” Engleton said.

He further said their supporters were equally looking forward to watching their team lock horns with Gunners.

“Ever since the draw was made, our supporters have been waiting for this weekend to come. The match has brought excitement, which saw the return of old supporters who are encouraging the team. We once reached the quarterfinals of this competition a long time back when we were campaigning in the first division. So we want to beat Gunners,” he said.

The team is currently not doing very well in the Lucara Boteti Division 1 league with a record of four wins, four draws and five losses. They are on position seven in the log standings.

They won the league last season.

“We lost our key players who helped us win the league to big teams.

Our top scorer with 16 goals last season Kago Matshoba went to Orapa United, while Tumisang Tshireletso and Baeme Kebaitse were signed by Miscellaneous. We also lost Simon Marman to Mochudi Centre Chiefs.

But we have brought in good players and are building to win the league next season,” said Engleton.

Chiefs reached this stage by beating Maun Terrors 1-0 in the first round.

Gunners head coach Wame Mokoke said they would not underestimate the minnows and are going to approach the match like they do against Premier League teams.

“We have never seen them play and they are a closed book to us. But they are champions in Boteti. They are motivated. We are aware they can cause an upset. We have prepared very well and are focused on progressing,” said the youthful coach in an interview.

Mokoke said he worked on converting scoring opportunities this week after his forwards missed a lot of chances last weekend against Mahalapye Railway Highlanders in a 1-1 league draw.
“We missed a lot of chances in our previous games. So we have been working on finishing. We need goals because it is a knockout match,” added the coach.

Mokoke said he was happy with the way Gunners players had responded to his coaching methods after taking over last month. He said the team was improving every week.

Other round two Saturday fixtures are as follows; King Rodgers vs Jwaneng Fighters at Tsabong Stadium, Mogoditshane Fighters vs Orapa United and Masitaoka vs Sankoyo Bush Bucks at Molepolole Sports Complex- double header.

Union Flamengo Santos vs Mochudi Rovers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs vs Mahalapye Railway Highlanders at Atlanta Chiefs ground- double header.

Meanwhile Prisons XI will take on Tsabothe while Miscellaneous will face Jwaneng Galaxy  at  Serowe Sports Complex.

Tonota FC and  Township Rollers will tackle it out at Francistown Council Stadium while Motlakase Power Dynamos will play against Broadhurst United and Morupule Wanderers vs Notwane at Palapye Swallows ground.

On Sunday Security Systems will play against BDF XI and Gaborone United vs Black Forest at Molepolole Sports Complex.

Matebejana will take on Calendar Stars at Mogoditshane Fighters ground while Sua Flamingoes will face Molepolole City Stars at Sowa Stadium.

Police XI will play against Eleven Angels at Francistown Council Stadium.

The match will kick off at 3:30 pm. ENDS