The fixture comes in the wake of a shock 1-0 defeat Magosi suffered to Black Forest last weekend. The first two weeks into the new season have not been what Magosi supporters were looking for.
They started their campaign against newcomers, Desert Nxau away from home and came out with a point before they lost to Forest. Against Hawks, Magosi faced a very stubborn side, which gave both Notwane and Extension Gunners a torrid time in the last two encounters. Although the results did not go their way, Hawks are playing entertaining attacking football, creating a lot of scoring opportunities.
Traditionally, Magosi are also known to play attacking football. Another loss or draw will most definitely worry the Kgatleng giants considering that fellow title contenders, Gunners, Young Stars, Notwane and Prisons XI are pulling away at the top. Hawks, under the tutelage of former Mares assistant coach, Alex Malete, will also be looking for their first win, to ease pressure at the bottom early on in the season.
Mogoditshane Fighters, just like Chiefs, have only collected a single point from two games and host in-form Gunners at the Holy Ghost Park. Mapantsula have wasted no time in adapting to the lower division football with two wins out of two matches. They have made the lower division fashionable because of their huge following.
Fighters, who usually use Fighters ground as their fortress, have decided to take the match to the Holy Ghost Park, which can accommodate a bigger crowd. A loss for the home side will take them further down the league table. Gunners on the other hand will hope to keep up the momentum. Only one goal separates them and log leaders, Young Stars. Former Zebras captain, Ofentse Nato is leading Gunners by example under the tutelage of Daniel ‘Chicco’ Nare. They are the only side that has not conceded a goal.
Nare has already jokingly downplayed the importance of gaining promotion to the elite league saying the prospect is not attractive enough. Gunners will occupy the top spot on Saturday if they win against Fighters since Young Stars will only be in action 24 hours later, against Tlokweng United. At SSG ground, City Polar take on Notwane in another epic clash of the weekend.
City Polar lost out on a chance to gain promotion on the last day last season but have since lost some quality players after the departure of main sponsors, CRACK-iT. They lost their first match this season but recovered well with a win last weekend. Notwane still look solid this season despite losing among others, Remmington Masuku.
Notwane head coach, Omphemetse 'Fowler' Setswe, has a tough assignment ahead as only one team from the league will gain promotion to the elite after the mother body changed the relegation/promotion rules and the composition of the elite league. However, the decision has received public criticism from the clubs and it remains to be seen whether the Botswana Football Association will make a U-turn.
Former Chiefs head coach, Thatayamodimo Tebele has been roped in to reinforce the technical team as an assistant coach. Black Forest will be at home against Prisons XI while Desert Nxau host Union Flamengo Santos. All the games kick off at 4pm.
