The two teams will meet this evening at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in a 7pm kick-off. The game was scheduled for the Ostriches’ home ground, Itekeng Stadium. However, the venue is undergoing renovations. Earlier this week, Orapa United had written to the Botswana Football League (BFL) requesting to move the team's third-round tie.
As per reports, senior members of the club's executive committee proposed to take the GU tie to Francistown. Their reason, it is said, was that the Francistown venue will help pull a crowd as the tie is a Category A match against the defending champions. The members who wanted the match to be taken to Francistown believed that the club would benefit from the match day ticket proceeds. Other members of the committee, however, argued the trip will cost the club more, as doubts over attracting a large crowd were raised. It is said on average Orapa makes just over P20,000 in proceeds from tickets per game in the Ghetto.
The club's costs for an away tie for the playing and technical squad are said to be over P30,000 hence the decision to move the game to Francistown would not be an economic one, the other members of the committee argued. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, Orapa’s media and marketing officer, Emmanuel Seiphetho refuted reports of divisions over the preferred venue. He said the decision was taken for safety precautions with their stadium undergoing renovations. “The club is not divided, the public should know that the stadium in Orapa is going under construction. The construction has taken longer than we had expected. At the moment they are roofing the grandstand and there is use of metallic materials. This is a mining town and safety is a top priority, so there was no way we could have played the game in Itekeng,” Seiphetho said.
The Ostriches will hope to be a more united front in the field of play as they face a perfect GU team that has two wins from their first two games. The Reds are yet to concede as the average goal they score is two. Orapa on the other hand are settling in with new coach, Gadimang Tiiso's methods. The team is at the top of the log standings by goal difference. Orapa has scored more than the Reds as the two sides sit first and second, respectively and level on six points. They remain the only sides not to drop points in this campaign. In other games to be played tomorrow, Mogoditshane Fighters are chasing their first win of the season in their tie against Police XI at the Otse Stadium. Holy Ghost is home to Extension Gunners at the Molepolole Sports Complex as Sua Flamingoes need a revival against Morupule Wanderers at the Sowa Council Stadium. BDF XI and Township Rollers are in an unpredictable contest at the Lobatse Sports Complex.
On Sunday afternoon, Eleven Angels take Masitaoka to the Francistown City Council Stadium in search of their first elite point. Premier League football will return to the Sam Sono Stadium as Nico United welcome Prisons XI. Security Systems and Jwaneng Galaxy will face off at the Molepolole Sports Complex.
All the weekend's games will kick off at 4pm.
