The two teams will face off at the National Stadium in a Botswana Premier League (BPL) tie to be played at 3.30pm tomorrow. The derby tie has come early on in the season when both teams are still settling in.
Motang’s side lead the log on 10 points, three ahead of their weekend’s opponents. The Reds have had the most perfect start to the season after winning their three opening matches, scoring two goals in each game while conceding none.
At Rollers, Motang is enjoying the underdog tag as he is aware of the threat posed by the Reds. He, however, said his side would not go down without a fight with bragging rights at stake.
The coach's comments suggest Popa will go on an all-out attack on the afternoon. “They are a very good team; they are current champions and their coach had said they do not concede, they keep clean sheets. This tells us that we have a mountain of a task ahead of us. Yes, they will ask some questions and I believe we are prepared to answer them.
We will also throw back some questions to them to answer too,” Motang said. It was a rather calm approach from the Reds’ corner as captain, Mpho Kgaswane did not want to be drawn to dwell much on the team’s recent rich vein in form. “We are ready as players but we all know a derby match is a whole different type of game.
It all goes down to just one day; you can perform in all of the games but on the derby day it can be all different,” Kgaswane said. GU coach, Benny Kgomela feels his side is disadvantaged after sitting out of action for two weeks. “It is a disadvantage to us. The programme was done by the BPL so that all teams play several games with no team left behind. Only if things went according to the programme we could see if we are progressing well. But this will not hinder us from performing at our best.
We are a team that keeps clean sheets and I can assure you that we will keep a clean sheet on the day. I can confirm that we are ready as Gaborone United. We are waiting to battle against Rollers. We are a team that is winning and we will be going for another win on Saturday," Kgomela said. The Reds have a clean bill of health following the return of Lesego Galenamotlhale, Obonwe Maome, and Alphord Velaphi from injuries. On the other hand, Rollers will miss forwards Ototeng Dintwa due to suspension and Morgan Gaseitsiwe who is out with an injury while full-back Jackson Lesole is set for a late fitness test. The team welcomes back Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele from an illness.
In other matches, at the Jwaneng Stadium, two mining teams, Jwaneng Galaxy and Orapa United will battle for the diamond on Saturday afternoon. Police XI visit Masitaoka at the Molepolole Sports Complex while Prisons XI take on Eleven Angels at the Otse Stadium. Sua Flamingoes and Security Systems will battle it out at the Sowa Town Council Stadium.
Holy Ghost are off to the Serowe Sports Complex where Morupule Wanderers lie in wait. Extension Gunners will be home to BDF XI at the Lobatse Sports Complex. On Sunday, Mogoditshane Fighters travel to the Sam Sono Stadium to take on Nico United.
