GU, BDF XI target bumper crowd for final

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Thursday May 16, 2013 00:00

 

'Do not be surprised if you find our supporters outnumbering those of Gaborone United on Saturday. We have intensified our campaign to attract more supporters,' BDF XI chairman Boikanyo Addenes told journalists yesterday at a media briefing held in Gaborone. He said supporters will be ferried from as far as Francistown and Selebi-Phikwe for the match. 'Some will be coming from Thebephatshwa and will be accommodated at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB). We want to leave a lasting impression in Lobatse and hope that we attract new supporters after this match,' he added. He said that they expect to meet about 200 other supporters who are already residing in Lobatse. A motorcade has been planned on Saturday to raise awareness for the match and in an attempt to attract new members. Addenes also told journalists that as a team, they would like to make history on Saturday.

They have even engaged experts to prepare the players both mentally and physically. Both BDF XI and GU defeated their opponents heavily in the semi finals to set up what is likely to be a highly tactical final. GU chairperson, Fidelis Nkomazana also indicated that they expect their supporters to come in large numbers from all over the country. He said on their way from Francistown where they played TAFIC, they tried to sensitise some of their supporters in the northern part of the country about the match. He said he is optimistic that the match will pull a crowd. 'We have a very good working relationship with BDF XI. We sometimes sit down and discuss football matters but it will be a different ball game this Saturday as both teams fight for supremacy in this competition,' Nkomazana stated. If they win the title, it will be Moya-goleele's second silverware in two seasons, having won the Coca-Cola Cup last season.

Meanwhile both the Botswana Premier League (BPL) and the competition sponsors, Mascom are yet to make a decision with regard to division of prize money for the top goal scorer award in case more than one player finish as top scorer. 'We had not thought about that, but we will sit down and make a decision which will suit everyone well,' BPL chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi said.