18 Apr 2024

The biggest derby in local football will be on display Saturday when Gaborone giants, Gaborone United and Township Rollers face each other in the Botswana Premier League encounter at the National Stadium.

The flagship match in the country used to attract thousands of spectators from all over the country to watch the best players outwit each other. Botswana Football League acting chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi is confident that the encounter will live up to expectations.

Speaking at a press conference at Lekidi on Wednesday, Mamelodi said he was looking forward to the encounter as the two traditional rivals had shelves decorated with silverware and quality players and management.

However, he said their display must attract supporters to fill up the stadium to full capacity.

He said the encounter between the Money Machine and Popa Popa was not all about the three points and bragging rights, but that a lot more was at stake as the game was the best brand of football in the country and the elite league.

“It’s a derby, therefore, it must fill up the National Stadium to its bream as is the case with other derbies across the world,” he said.

He said the Gaborone derby must set the tempo and attract supporters from all corners of the world. “Support the derby and brand the premier league,” he said, adding that it would be an exciting game, full of tactics and quality football. The Reds, who will be hosting the match, are currently occupying third position with 41 points, seven behind second placed Popa Popa after 21 games each.

Log leaders, Jwaneng Galaxy are on 50 points. Both teams won their last games in the FA cup tournament.

GU coach, Pontsho Moloi said his team was ready for the weekend encounter, adding that they had been doing well as they won all five of their previous encounters.

He said the aim was to continue with the winning streak.

However, he admitted that the derby was not just an ordinary game as the pressure to win was more intense. He said winning against traditional rivals who were also in contention for the league title was a bonus, noting that a win would cut their opponents lead to four points.

Moloi also added that they aimed to win all their remaining games. Township Rollers coach, Innocent Morapedi said he did not want to divulge his plan for the game as he did not want to spoil the mood of supporters and urged them to attend the match to witness for themselves.

Morapedi said although he could not predict the result as both teams were equally determined to take the three points, he said it would be a mouth-watering encounter.

He said his team was ready to reign supreme and win the encounter and that it would bring them closer to the summit of the league.ENDS