Chiefs, Rollers in blood and thunder duel
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday January 30, 2015 18:00
Since the be MOBILE Premier League era, meetings between the two giants have always been highly anticipated.
The battle has extended off the field to the players’ transfer market. The most recent player squabble between the two has been over midfielder, Galagwe Moyana with Chiefs coming tops following their success via a case at the National Appeals Board (NAB).
Moyana is expected to face Rollers tomorrow. The club has been chasing his signature since his return from South Africa.
Rollers have beaten Chiefs to the signature of defender, Tshepo Motlhabankwe and are said to be on the verge of snatching Dirang Moloi who was recently linked with a return to Magosi. The rivalry of the two sides is easily the biggest in the Premier League era.
Ever since the arrival of a mega be MOBILE sponsorship six years ago, both Rollers and Chiefs have been dominant. Rollers have won the title three times while Chiefs won it twice.
At the moment, only three points separate the two sides at the top. Rollers have 40 points with 12cwins, four draws and just one loss. They have scored 42 goals, conceding 13 in the process.
Their unbeaten run came to an abrupt end a fortnight ago against Police XI but they bounced back against Extension Gunners last Saturday.
Chiefs started the second round with a draw against Gunners but won their last encounter against BDF XI to keep up the pressure. They have so far won 11, drew four and lost two games this season, scoring 38 goals and conceding 17.
The last time the two sides met was in a league match in the first round and Rollers prevailed through Namibian striker, Jerome Louis’ solitary strike.
While Rollers are eyeing another victory over Chiefs, the Kgatleng giants are seeking to restore pride. They will not only be looking to close the gap, but to revenge after Rollers ended their unbeaten run in the first round.
For Rollers, Louis remains a threat to Magosi’s defence once again because of his good record against them since last season.
He returned this week from trials in Sweden just in time for the titanic clash. Since his arrival at Rollers last season, Louis has scored four goals in the last six meetings between the two teams both in the league and cup games.
He is the current joint leading goal scorer with nine goals, same as Chiefs’ exciting winger, Lemponye Tshireletso.
In the absence of head coach, Madinda Ndlovu, it will be interesting to see how Teenage Mpote and Zechariah Mudzazi pick their team tomorrow. Besides, Louis upfront, there is Jerome Ramatlhakwana who scored a goal on his Rollers debut last weekend.
Rollers are also spoilt for choice on the wings with Sekhana Koko, Gofaone Tiro, Kobamelo Kebaikanye and Motsholetsi Sikele all available for tomorrow’s game.
Chiefs also have variety for the starting 11 following the arrival of Phenyo Mongala on loan from Don Bosco.
Mongala is expected to compete for a place on the wing with Moyana, Tshireletso and Ayanda Molefe.
Onalethata Tshekiso’s brace against BDF XI might just be the confidence booster for the former Rollers’ marksman ahead of the titanic clash.
Tshekiso will look to score against his former employers as he eyes his first Premier League title with Magosi. Besides Pontsho Moloi and Tshireletso, Tshekiso remains one of the key members in the Chiefs set-up going into tomorrow’s game because of his experience. In other big games to be played this weekend, BDF XI is up against BMC at Lobatse Sports Complex, while Notwane take on Gunners at the SSKB Stadium. Both games will be played on Sunday.