02 Mar 2023

The 2022/23 premier league title chase gathers pace over the weekend as on form Orapa United seek to continue their good run.

The Ostriches play against Township Rollers aka Mapalastina in a 7pm kickoff at the National Stadium, Saturday

Currently third on the log equal on 38 points with second placed Gaborone United, Orapa  will enter tomorrow’s contest as favourites after a good run saw them overcome a poor start to the campaign to become title contenders alongside GU and top of the log Jwaneng Galaxy.

Six successive victories before their 1-1 draw with Rollers on February 11 underlined this good form, coupled with last weekend’s 4-2 triumph over GU, which inflicted the Reds’ first loss of the season.

On one hand, Rollers, fourth of the log on 30 points are enduring their most difficult campaign in the decade since a lacklustre 2012-13 season. 

The Blues, who have consistently been title contenders since the 2013-14 season endured a difficult start to this season and late December severed ties with head coach Thabo Motang, who had led Popa to five victories, three draws and a loss.

Thereafter, assistant coach Oarabile ‘Wilshire’ Seabo guided Rollers to victory over Prisons XI, before new Portuguese coach Sergio Traguil took charge. 

Under Sergio, Rollers drew 2-2 with Sua Flamingoes and played to five more draws by a similar 1-1 margin against Security Systems, Eleven Angels, Orapa, Holy Ghost and BDF, with a sole 2-0 victory against Holy Ghost sandwiched in between.

So,Sergio will be desperate to prove his mettle as an experienced international coach.

Although Rollers in recent matches have displayed a never say die attitude of equalising late on to salvage a point, Mapalastina overall lacklustre form makes them underdogs in such a tie.

Popa should be wary of Omaatla ‘Dunga’ Kebatho, who scored for the Ostriches the last time the two sides met and has consistently been a thorn in Rollers’ flesh over the years.

The Ostriches meanwhile will know very well of the pedigree of Mbatshi ‘King Fisher’ Elias the lethal striker who was signed by Rollers from Orapa at the end of the January transfer window.

Earlier on Saturday at 4pm, Galaxy will seek to maintain their unbeaten run when they host Prisons XI at the Galaxy Stadium.

GU will be away to Eleven Angels at the Francistown Council Stadium, Masitaoka host Sua Flamingioes in Molepolole while Extension Gunners welcome Security Systems in Lobatse.

On Sunday, Mogoditshane Fighters play Holy Ghost in Molepolole while Morupule Wanderers are home to Nico United in Serowe. 

BDF XI face fellow security men Police XI int Lobatse. ENDs