Crowning moment for Chiefs

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Friday May 31, 2013 00:00

 

Chiefs secured this season's league title league a fortnight ago when they defeated BMC 1-0 at Molepolole Sports Complex, but the celebrations and the handing over of the trophy was deferred to this Saturday. They are taking on Mogoditshane Fighters in a match that will matter less for each side. Fighters have already been relegated to the First Division while Chiefs are champions and both sides will have nothing to lose. The match kicks off at 3pm.

Chiefs have been playing the past three matches without Phenyo Mongala, Jerome Ramatlhakwana and Dirang Moloi who recently joined a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) side, Don Bosco. The trio managed to make a breakthrough after impressing Don Bosco scouts during their 6-0 defeat to TP Mazembe in the CAF Champions League. They have been integral part of the Chiefs' side this season and are expected to be part of the celebrations on Saturday despite having moved to DRC.

Their departure saw the likes of Godfrey Ngele, David Makakaba and Kenamile Mani given starting berths as part of preparations for next season. Ngele in particular has shown beyond reasonable doubt his hunger and has been scoring goals in the past three matches. He has been used as supporting striker with Kekaetswe Moloi playing upfront. Ngele, together with Makakaba are expected to play a much bigger role next season after being on the sidelines for the better part of this season.

Against Fighters, they face a side that showed glimpses of a good side but never really came to the party after registering the likes of Powell Abednico and Berbard Semakwezi. The duo arrived, finding an already talented squad that boasts among others, Khumbulani Madziba. With their status already decided, Fighters are expected to play this match without any pressure. A victory for Chiefs means they finish the league on 66 points, three behind what they accumulated last season when they dethroned Township Rollers the league title.

Fighters currently sitting at position 15 with 25 points can still finish at position 14 if they win this match and Prisons XI, who are placed at number 14 lose their last match. Prisons XI take on BR Highlanders this Sunday at Molepolole Sports Complex. With Chiefs having swooped the league title, the fight for position two has reached boiling point. BDF XI, Gaborone United (GU) and Nico United are enaged in an interesting battle for that position in the last matches of the season. GU have already finished their business of the season, after winning 3-1 against Notwane on Wedndesday night. The victory took them to position two and hope that both BDF XI and Nico United lose their matches tomorrow. Nico United will be away to Extension Gunners at New Lobatse Stadium while BDF XI visit Motlakase Power Dynamos at Selebi Phikwe Stadium.

Nico are currently third on the league table with 55 points, just one behind GU. BDF XI are fourth on the log with 54 points. In the other Premier League match to be played tomorrow, ECCO City Greens take on BMC at Francistown Stadium. BMC will be without their coach, Daniel Nare who is said to be suspended by the club together with other officials.  Uniao Flamengo Santos host Miscellaneous tonight in Molepolole. The game starts at 7pm. All the other matches kick off at 3pm.