Explosive weekend on the cards for soccer fans
Mqondisi Dube | Friday October 25, 2013 15:38
The weekend clash between Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers adds a local touch to the excitement. With Gaborone United slipping into the background, the Chiefs-Rollers encounter has emerged as the be MOBILE Premier League’s headline fixture of the year.
Rollers will be looking to halt Chiefs’ juggernaut, which is raring to claim its eighth consecutive victim in the league. A feisty affair cannot be ruled out as fans seek to erase memories of last weekend’s dour Gaborone derby.
Across the borders, Botswana soccer fans will have the keenest interest in the derby between Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
CAF Champions League finalists, Pirates are in an ominous mood but will find a belligerent Chiefs a hard nut to crack.
Chiefs were lethargic against Free State Stars at the weekend while Pirates cruised to a 4-0 win over Golden Arrows in midweek. The FNB Stadium would host the big clash and some Batswana fans are expected to attend the match. In Botswana’s northern neighbour, what has been dubbed the ‘Battle of Zimbabwe’ takes place this weekend when traditional foes, Highlanders and Dynamos clash at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo. For 90 minutes, Zimbabwe will be split into two camps as a bumper crowd is expected at the 35,000 seater stadium.
In England the Blue half of London welcomes the blue half of Manchester in a match that, though not season defining, would crystallise issues around the fight for the title and the top four spot. Chelsea and Manchester City have been constantly under the shadow of a domineering but suspect Manchester United and now have firm belief that they can tighten their stranglehold on the title race with the red side of Manchester limping.
In Germany, champions league sides, Schalke and Borussia Dortmund square off after contrasting midweek fortunes.
But the fixture of the weekend is at the Nou Camp where Barcelona, arguably the best side in the world over the last few seasons, play perennial enemy, Real Madrid.
Barcelona were held at AC Milan in the Champions League and dropped their first points of the season when they drew 0-0 at Osasuna. Madrid beat Juventus in the Champions League and have trimmed Barcelona’s advantage to three points in La Liga.
Big weekend clashes
* Botswana Premier League
Sunday
Township Rollers vs Mochudi Centre Chiefs UB Stadium 3:30 pm (Btv)
* SA ABSA Premiership
Saturday
Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates FNB Stadium 3pm (SS4, SABC)
* Zimbabwe Premier League
Sunday
Highlanders vs Dynamos Barbourfields Stadium 3:00 pm (SSL)
* Spain’s La Liga
Saturday
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Nou Camp 6:00 pm (SS3)
* Barclays Premier League
Sunday
Chelsea vs Manchester City Stamford Bridge 6:00 pm (SS3)