Big clash moved back to UB Stadium
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday October 25, 2013 15:28
There was confusion yesterday as to where the game would take place. The Botswana Premier League (BPL) had earlier this week stated that the game would take place at the Molepolole Sports Complex.
By Wednesday afternoon, Rollers revealed that the game had been moved back to the UB Stadium. Confusion arose Thursday morning when the BPL office insisted the game was scheduled for Molepolole and not UB Stadium. Following some discussions yesterday, Rollers, Chiefs and BPL officials agreed on the UB stadium.
There was also confusion over ticket prices.
Both Chiefs and Rollers had agreed to increase the ticket price to P50, considering the magnitude of the encounter. BPL insisted that every Premier League match has to be charged a standard price of P30. Rollers executive manager Phuthego Setete said they have now settled for the P30 price for the match. He however said they will make a proposal going forward, to increase the price for this kind of games.
He said hosting big games cost a lot extra in terms of logistics than other games and therefore the need to increase ticket prices. He said football has now turned into a business and they need to maximize profit though taking their customers into consideration. Tickets started selling yesterday at the two clubs’ offices, among other places. He said that they aim to have sold all tickets by Sunday.
“We do not want to sell tickets at the venue during the match day. We have agreed to sell only 7, 000 tickets for the match so that we cater for other situations that may arise,” he said.
Games between the two sides have been the most anticipated in the league.
This season, the two giants will play against each other at least four times. Besides the two Premier League games, they will meet again twice in the quarterfinals of the Mascom Top 8. The two met twice last season and both matches ended in stalemate. A lot has changed since then. Ndlovu and Mudzazi who were at the helm of Chiefs at the time are now with Rollers.
Tshekiso who scored both goals for Rollers when the two sides drew 2-2 in the second round of the league last season is now at Chiefs. Mudzazi admitted that it is likely to be an emotional game for him. He has been at Chiefs for close to 15 years.
He however said the job has to be done and he expects a tough battle between the two sides. He is of the view that Chiefs have not been tested this season and said Sunday’s match will be a real test for them.
“They have been doing very well and will go into this match as favourites. We started the season badly but we have recovered and things are beginning to shape up,” he said.
Rollers captain Sekhana Koko said they need the points more than Chiefs. He said Chiefs will be under no pressure since they are leading the log convincingly.
“If we win, the three points would make a huge difference for us in the log while Chiefs can afford to lose,” he said. Koko, who has played for both Chiefs and Rollers, said players need no motivation for this game. “They (Chiefs) are champions and we are playing them at a time when they are yet to lose a game this season,” he added.
Chiefs coach Dragojlo Stanojlovic said current form for both sides matters little.
“Rollers are a very good team. They have a good technical team as well. It is a game that could go either way,” he said.
He mentioned Lawrence Majawa, Oscar Ncenga and Kobamelo Kebaikanye as some of the good players they will have to look out for.
Chiefs captain Pontsho Moloi said his absence from this match is not a big problem as Chiefs have plenty of good players.
Moloi will miss the game after receiving a red card last Sunday against Nico United. Rollers on the other hand will miss midfielder, Maano Ditshupo.