05 Dec 2013

Orapa United are confident of ending their bad sequence of results in the beMOBILE Premier League when they face log leaders BDF XI on Sunday, December 1.

The rookies of top-flight soccer travel to the SSKB Stadium smarting from a run of four successive defeats to Mochudi Centre Chiefs, BMC, Gaborone United and Township Rollers.

After a bright start to the campaign propelled them to third place on the BPL standings at one point, the Ostriches have lost momentum and are on a downward slide. However, United’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Badisa Laolang, has vowed that they would avoid sinking to a fifth straight defeat.

“We have been on a bad run lately, but we are not putting ourselves under pressure because those losses were to good teams,” Laolang said. “There is nothing wrong with the way we play and we would start winning again.” Matebele have turned the SSKB Stadium into a fortress and are yet to concede a goal there this season. But Laolang argued that the army side is not invincible and United would ruffle them.

“They have already lost to Gaborone United this season which shows that they are beatable,” he added. “We would be underdogs of course, but any team can beat another in this league. We have prepared well for them like we usually do for every team.” He explained that their mission this season is to finish among the top eight teams.
United has a decent team that includes the usually solid defender Samuel Phiri and captain Mmoloki Kafuko, but coach Dominic Changwe should be concerned by his strikers.

Opelo Godfrey and Ompolokile Alone are yet to hit top form, and would need to produce something special to breach the mean BDF XI defence manned by veteran Ndiyapo Letsholathebe and his cohort: Moreetsi Mosimanyana, Otlaantshekela Mooketsi, and Koziba Thabano. A win would extend Matebele’s lead to 32 points, while United would reach 21 points if they can outclass their hosts. The game starts at 3:30 p.m. ENDS