03 Feb 2022

A top of the log, Debswana First Division North (FDN) clash between pacesetters Nico United and Peacemakers bears the hallmarks of a thriller.

While the leading coach, Botshelo ‘Observer’ Pelokgosi packs some inflated self-confidence and sheer arrogance towards the Saturday encounter, billed for Semolale village development committee grounds, his counterpart Kelebogile ‘Two’ Dingalo is a modest, soft-spoken gaffer, who treats Nico with respect for their current run and history.

Nico United leads the charts with 19 points from seven games, a six-point lead ahead of closest chasers, Peacemakers. 

Nico is yet to lose a game, having won six and drawn one of the seven games played.

Perhaps it is this performance that pumps up coach Pelokgosi’s bloated belief in self, as he habours Premier League ambitions. 

In fact, the coach believes it is just a matter of time before Majombolo, Nico’s sobriquet, returns to the elite league.

“I know what I’m doing right now. My target is to set a gap of 18-21 points between us and our chasers,” says the bullish coach, who adds that he would settle for a 15-point gap in a worst case scenario. 

“I don’t see myself losing any game. Even a blind man can see that Nico is on a roll,” the coach further boasted.

Not only has the Moshopha-native who prides himself of being a product of heavyweight coaches in the likes of Stanley Tshosane and the late Major David Bright, set ambitious targets for his team, he is upbeat that at the end of the Saturday’s ‘simple away game’ Nico will have all the points in their cart. He warns, “I play an offensive game with high intensity for 90 minutes. I won’t park the bus (being defensive)”.

A man who has ‘something bigger for the people of Selebi Phikwe’ says he has signed ‘very dangerous players’ to bolster his team in the Premier League.  

Though he refused to name his signings, he says they are cut for the top tier league.

Riding egoistically, Pelokgosi says none of the coaches in the FDN have a pedigree to match him and his technical team. 

In fact, he argues that he has not seen any of the coaches play football, during his time as a footballer.

His technical team comprises of former head coach Peter Muchina and his assistant Monametsi ‘Sunday’ Kelebale, a former Nico captain.

However, his opponent, Peacemakers coach Dingalo, is modest and talks respectively of the former Premier League side. 

He neither talks about associates nor does he inflate his abilities to dispatch Nico over the weekend.

“A draw against Nico will be a point to take home,” Dingalo says, adding that it will be important for Nttodiboleda, a fond moniker for Peacemakers, to close the gap between them and Majombolo.

The Peacemakers coach finds growth in his players and indeed the team in every game they play, despite their poor away game record. 

They lost away to TAFIC, Calendar Stars and Green Lovers.

“We have to respect Nico and the best team on the day will win,” says Dingalo about possibilities of snatching all the three points.

He says he enjoys working with his players, who he observes, exhibit lots of improvement with every passing game.

To maintain a good chase, Peacemakers coach intends to lose none of the games against lower opponents, while striving to overthrow the current log leaders.

In fact, the Bobonong side registered a goalkeeper, a defender, a midfielder and a striker, to up the ante in the chase against closest rivals NICO.

“Who wouldn’t want to play in the Premier League or even to go to the playoffs,” asks the coach, whose mission is to keep the rookies in FDN this season, but would gladly promote the team if there is an opening.

Like his Saturday opponent, he feels no pressure to beat NICO not even to promote the team, since his mission, upon appointment, is for the team to survive in the FDN league.

Although he is not upbeat about a positive result against a side that shares the same home colours, Dingalo calls on all supporters from both camps to descend on the Semolale VDC grounds in droves to witness ‘the best team win.’

The game was initially penned for Samabaje ground, Bobonong, but the ground failed inspection by FDN committee on January 29.

In other FDN games slated for the weekend; Maun Terrors lie in wait for Chadibe Football Club, Green Lovers travel to Palapye for a clash against Motlakase Power Dynamos, while Sankoyo Bush Bucks welcome Santa Green.

Other games will see the once Premier League side and struggling TAFIC tussle with crosstown rivals Calendar Stars, while Miscellaneous welcome Eleven Angels in Serowe. 

All games will be played on Saturday, with kickoff set for 3:30pm. BOPA