23 Jan 2014

The battle for goal supremacy enters an exciting stage as Gaborone United lock horns with Township Rollers in the first leg of Mascom Top 8, affectionately dubbed ‘Tse Ditona’ to be played at Molepolole stadium on Saturday, January 25.

Both teams have quality strikers but, it is the duo of Rollers’ Sekhana Koko and Jerome Louis who are leading the pack with three goals apiece,  followed by GU’s Edwin Olerile and Ronald Chikomo, each with two goals.

Last year, Gaborone United, alias Moyagoleele, were unstoppable as they won the championship with lethal firepower upfront comprising of Chikomo, Tebogo Sembowa and the now transfer listed, Moemedi ‘Jomo’ Moatlhaping. Chikomo and Sembowa eventually won the Golden Boot Award with four goals each, together with Lemponye Tshireletso.

Chikomo also scooped the Player of the Tournament award while his coach, David Bright won the Coach of the Tournament award. The two teams met at this stage last year, and GU had no mercy, walloping their opponents 4-1 in the first leg resulting with the sacking of Rollers’ coach, Darlington Dodo, a few months into his contract.

This however, does not mean it will be another walk over for Bright’s team as they are facing a rejuvenated Township Rollers. Mapalastina are looking mean this season and want to add silverware to their already overflowing cabinet.  

The coming in of Madinda Ndlovu and together with wholesale changes to the squad has transformed Botswana’s most successful team into one of the most dominant this season.

With Koko having rediscovered his scoring form and together with Namibian international, Louis, the two have built the most troublesome partnership ready to take on any team they face on any day.

Other players that are poised to play an important role are the midfielders, and this is where the game would be won. Rollers have players such as Manqoba Ngwenya, Lovemore Majawa and Kobamelo Kebaikanye who are ready to dictate the flow of the game and it will be suicidal if Gaborone United gives them room to play.

At the other end, Rollers should keep an eye on Jackie Mothatego, and Olerile who has already registered two goals in the tournament to illustrate his readiness for any task he is given. As the battle will be up front, goalkeepers, Noah Maposa and Mwampule Masule will be kept on their toes and as the last men in the field of play, they will have to keep their eyes on the ball as well as on their defenders.

Maposa has an upper hand as he has experience on his side and the need to defend the goalkeeper award he won last year should be a motivating factor.  ENDS