Epic First Division battles in store
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday March 24, 2023 11:23
The games will kick off at the same time (4pm) with all the top six teams facing some tricky and unpredictable moments.
The Riverplate ground in Mochudi is expected to be filled to capacity as hosts, Mochudi Centre Chiefs take on CRACKiT City Polar in what is expected to be a tightly contested encounter. Both sides are currently playing a chasing game in the race for the league title/promotion after dropping some crucial points in the second round of the competition.
However, a comfortable victory for City Polar can take them back to the summit provided both Notwane and leaders, Matebele lose by big margins. The Students, as City Polar are affectionately called by their supporters, will not have it easy as Magosi seek revenge for the 1-0 loss they suffered in the first round.
City Polar are currently at position three with 28 points while Magosi sit at position four with 26 points. Magosi are yet to lose a match under the tutelage of Patrick Molefe who is the interim head coach.
Another epic battle is set to take place at VTM Arena where second-placed Notwane will be away to VTM FC. Notwane are just a point away from the summit and together with log leaders, Matebele, they have the best goal difference (12 each).
Both Notwane and VTM registered important away wins last weekend. Leutlwetse Tshireletso returned to VTM as the new head coach to beat Union Flamengo Santos in Gabane as VTM bounced back from their Orange FA Cup defeat the previous weekend.
Although they are currently sitting at position six on the log standings, VTM have only lost two matches but have been hard done by seven draws, leaving them trailing the leaders by six points. Both sides have enough experience in their squads with the home side banking on former Orlando Pirates duo, Rooi Mahamutsa and Sifiso Miyeni, while Notwane also have the likes of Sthembile Mbuqe and Remington Masuku. Notwane will, however, be without their head coach, Thaloba Nthaga who is currently in Equatorial Guinea with the Zebras.
Log leaders, Matebele will be expected to maintain their winning streak when they host struggling side, Black Rangers. Rangers are currently languishing at the bottom of the league table and have yet to win a single match since they gained promotion at the beginning of the season. In Jwaneng, sixth-placed Young Stars host Tlokweng United. Young Stars have remained dark horses in the title race and interestingly they seem to be holding the key to the race for promotion. Out of the top five sides in the league table, Young Stars still have to play four of them and could become the kingmakers in the race for the title. They still have to play Matebele, Notwane, Chiefs, and VTM. They also still have a very good chance of gaining promotion as only eight points separate them from the log leaders.