mmegi

Galaxy, Rollers in SA, Lesotho pre-season tours

Cross border tussle: Rollers and Galaxy will engage regional foes PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Cross border tussle: Rollers and Galaxy will engage regional foes PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Preparations for the upcoming season have intensified for Premier League sides with both Jwaneng Galaxy and Township Rollers announcing friendly encounters against regional sides.

With Galaxy travelling to South Africa this weekend for a four-team tournament, Rollers on the other hand will leave for Lesotho next week.

Galaxy will tomorrow join two GladAfrica championship sides, JDR Stars and AmaTuks, as well ORBIT College, which plays in the ABC Motsepe League in a one-day pre-season tournament scheduled to take place at the Royal Marang Sports Campus.

The former national champions, under the tutelage of South African coach, Morena Ramoreboli will hope for a fruitful season with focus now on domestic competitions after spending most of last season travelling across Africa for the CAF Champions League adventure.

Ramoreboli will get the chance to assess his recruits in a match situation after acquiring the services of the likes of Kabelo Babusi from Extension Gunners, Allen Ndodole from Orapa United as well as Kutlwelo Mpolokang.

They have lost midfielder, Gape Mohutsiwa to Algeria while the league’s top goal-scorer, Thabang Sesinyi is also linked with a move abroad. Rollers on the other hand have also announced a friendly match against Lesotho giants, Bantu FC next weekend. This weekend they are set to renew their rivalry against Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the Royal Aria Stadium.

This weekend's match, organised by DeMeister Sports agency is scheduled to start at 3pm. The last time the two sides met was three seasons ago before Magosi relegated to the lower division. Now under the leadership of Thabo Motang as the head coach, Rollers had the chance to test new combinations last weekend during a four-team pre-season tournament in Selebi-Phikwe.

Former Nico United forward, Morgan Gaseitsewe appears to have settled in quickly and scored a goal for his new side. Mogakolodi Ngele also played his first match for Rollers since his return from South Africa (SA). This week, Orapa United announced the acquisition of former Gunners striker, Baokeditswe Talane on a two-year contract. Talane spent the last season at Peleng giants on loan from Gaborone United (GU). His sterling performances earned him a call-up to the Zebras recently where he played a major role. After monitoring his progress at the national team, Orapa United coach, Mogomotsi Mpote decided to bolster his quality front line that includes Omaatla Kebatho and Mbatshi Elias.

The Ostriches have been one of the busiest during the current transfer window. Yesterday they also managed to tie young goalkeeper, Abbey Olebeng to a new two-year contract. After losing Talane, Gunners have brought in speedy winger, Kobamelo Kebaikanye who has signed a one-year contract. Kebaikanye brings in the much-needed speed on the wings as well as experience having played for Rollers, Orapa United, and Masitaoka.

Premier League rookies, Eleven Angels received a major boost ahead of the start of the season after their prized asset, Monty Enosa signed a new two-year deal. The young striker had reportedly caught the eye of several Premier League sides after his exploits during last season’s Orange FA Cup where he finished as the joint top-scorer as well as in the promotional play-off.

Masitaoka, who have witnessed a mass exodus of players since the middle of last season, have signed defender, Obusitswe Gabadise from Gunners as well as Thabang Khuduga. The latter was recently released by Rollers after spending the whole of last season at Holy Ghost on loan.

Editor's Comment
Botswana at a critical juncture

While the political shift brings hope for change, it also places immense pressure on the new administration to deliver on its election promises in the face of serious economic challenges.On another level, newly appointed Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe’s grim assessment of the country’s finances adds urgency to the moment. The budget deficit, expected to be P8.7 billion, is now anticipated to be even higher due to underperforming diamond...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up