Pitched battles mark league return
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday January 26, 2024 12:25
There has been no league action since the festive break due to boardroom squabbles. But with warring parties ending their feud at the start of the week, it is now back to action. The league returns to complete the first half of the round as it is simmering at both ends. With the league behind by two rounds of action, a congested schedule lies ahead. At the top, record league champions Township Rollers have started the campaign well in a bid to end their four-year drought without the title. Popa are at the summit of the log with four points ahead of second placed Gaborone United (GU).
Rollers have only lost once and played to a draw on three occasions. The club showed intent this season with a Gaborone derby win towards the end of 2023. The Reds (United) on the other hand, remain active in the race as they could be a point behind Rollers in the event they win their game in hand. Reigning champions, Jwaneng Galaxy have played four less games than Rolleres due to CAF Champions League commitments. The Galaxy Stars could move to the top and four points ahead of Rollers if they win all the four games in hand. BDF XI on fourth with 19 points are in the title midst but they are not expected to chase the leaders all the way. At the bottom, the league’s yo-yo team, Nico United are early contenders to bite the dust as they anchor the rear. With one win in 12 games, Majombolo have the worst win record in the league. A change in the technical department has lifted the side that lost all their four opening matches. More than half of the league games remain and the Selebi-Phikwe side could still fancy their chances of survival.
Eleven Angels’ poor away run see them just a point above Nico United and level with 14th placed Morupule Wanderers. Police XI are a surprise feature in the relegation scene as they have collected just 11 points and two above Nico. Holy Ghost and VTM FC could be dragged into the mix as they are both four points above the bottom spot. Namibian coach, Nicholas Woody Jacobs has worked some bit of magic at the league rookies, Matebele FC. In their debut season, Matebele find themselves inside the top eight in sixth spot with 18 points. Jacobs has since left the team for a job in his native Namibia and in his place is Elias Chinyemba who guided the team to their first elite league campaign. Just a point behind Matebele is TAFIC who are reaping dividends from the experienced Philemon Makwengwe. The team is making strides with a depleted budget and the mid season recruits including Onkabetse Makgantai could help TAFIC to surge.
On Saturday, Sua Flamingoes travel to Palapye where Morupule Wanderers lie in wait while Masitaoka and Police XI face off at the Dinaledi Football Academy Stadium. Eleven Angels make the trip down south to take on Security Systems at the Lobatse Sports Complex as Rollers visit Nico at the Sam Sono Stadium. TAFIC welcome Matebele at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium as Galaxy are home to VTM at the Galaxy Stadium. On Sunday afternoon, BDF XI and GU battle for three points at the Lobatse Sports Complex as Holy Ghost host Orapa United at the National Stadium. All the games will kick off at 4pm.