It is Super Tuesday

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Tuesday February 26, 2008 00:00

 

Rollers face a daunting task in a game that has set tongues wagging. The duel has all the ingredients of a thriller as both sides do not see eye to eye. Rollers will come with guns blazing to avenge the humiliating 3-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Chiefs in the opening game of the season.

 
At the time, the Mapalastina faithful claimed they were not prepared and hence Magosi crushed them easily. Tonight, the stage is set for Rollers to prove to the soccer fraternity that they have class to compete with their rivals.

On the other hand, Chiefs would like to prove that their win over Rollers was not a fluke. Magosi have gone 18 games without a loss and they would not like their rivals to break the good record. Chiefs are lying top of the standings with 44 points while Mapalastina are in 10th position with 21 points. By their standards, this is an embarrassment to Rollers as they should be competing for top honours with their bitter rivals.

Rollers gave away victory on Saturday night when they let BDF XI to come back and snatch a draw. Since the arrival of Zambian coach, Dickson Ngwenya, Rollers have improved and Chiefs must watch out.

When they lost to Chiefs earlier in the season, Rollers were without some of their key players. The speedy Joel Mogorosi was still in Cyprus and his return seems to have turned the fortunes of the team around. The other players who have been impressive for Mapalastina are Edwin Moalosi and Amos 'Shoes' Godirwang who are expected to give Chiefs a tough time tonight.

Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday, Ngwenya said his charges are prepared for the game and expects nothing less than victory. 'We have to work hard to get maximum points. I cannot predict the outcome but 90 minutes would tell,' he said confidently.

Ngwenya was worried about his defence, which has conceded goals when a win seemed a definite possibility. Things have not improved despite the fact that Rollers brought new defenders at the start of the season.

'We need to psyche the players so that they can concentrate until the end of the game,' said Ngwenya.

The men who can send thousands of Rollers' supporters home with big smiles are Moalosi, Mogorosi, Moemedi 'Jomo' Moatlhaping and Thebe Maiketso. Though he has not been at his best this season, Thapelo 'Pepe' Balepi is a player who usually performs above expectations against Chiefs.

Some football pundits believe that Chiefs were exposed against Extension Gunners on Friday night and this means they are beatable. Magosi failed to show their class at the weekend and whether they can pass the test against Rollers remains to be seen.
This season Chiefs have proved that they have the big match temperament and a winning mentality.

This has motivated supporters to pack stadiums in large numbers whenever Magosi is in action. Efforts to solicit a comment from the Chiefs' camp by the time of going to press yesterday were fruitless.

However, it is expected that captain Pontsho Moloi and Mpho 'Jomo' Mabogo would cherish another opportunity to score against Mapalastina like they did in the first round. It is expected that Rollers' defender Kgomari Mothuba will once again get the tough assignment of keeping Moloi quiet.

The form of Jerome Ramatlhakwana, Othusitse 'Jabu' Pilane and Oteng Moalosi will be crucial if Chiefs want to maintain their unbeaten record. If the three players are on song, things work well for the Kgatleng giants. The organisers must ensure that there is enough security to avoid fighting between supporters of the two clubs. Kick off is at 7.00pm.

The following are possible line-ups;
Rollers: Goitseone Morake, Mothuba, Boniface Makolo, Boitumelo Mafoko, Musa Ohilwe, Godirwang, Patrick Kasongo, Bernard Semakwezi, Moalosi, Mogorosi and Zulian Phiri.
Chiefs: Joseph Maposa, Gobonyeone Selefa, James Kachinga, Given Mpundu, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Elijah Phiriepa, Pilane, Moloi, Ramatlhakwana, Mabogo and Moalosi.