05 Dec 2024

The second city is set to explode with football fever this weekend, hosting a double-header of high-stakes matches. 

Francistown will become the centre of Botswana’s footballing activities, showcasing both national and continental action. 

Tomorrow will see a fiery Premiership clash between bitter rivals Township Rollers and the formidable TAFIC FC, a match guaranteed to ignite passions. 

Then on Sunday, the action shifts to the international stage, as Orapa United takes on Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas in a crucial CAF Confederation Cup encounter. 

The Ostriches are in Group C with USM Algiers of Algeria and the 2023 winners and dominant force in African football, ASEC Mimosas and ASC Jaraaf of Senegal, a formidable team with strong continental track record. 

The Ostriches are at the bottom of the group having conceded too many goals when they were walloped 6-0 by USM Algiers ASC while Asec Mimosas walloped ASC Jaraaf of Senegal 2-0. 

 Anticipation is high for this clash between the Botswana Premier League side and the Ivorian giants. 

ASEC Mimosas, affectionately known as Les Mimos, a club with a rich history and numerous continental titles, will present a formidable challenge for the Ostriches. 

The match represents a significant opportunity for the local side to showcase their abilities on the continental stage against prestigious international opposition.  A strong performance, regardless of the final result, would be a considerable boost to the team’s profile and confidence. 

Orapa United will likely focus on a tight defensive strategy, aiming to frustrate ASEC Mimosas’ attacking prowess and capitalise on any opportunities on the counter-attack. Their success will hinge on their ability to maintain discipline, limit mistakes, and execute their game plan effectively.

The match will undoubtedly test Orapa United’s mettle and provide valuable experience for the players against a higher level of opposition. 

Orapa United FC Media and Communications Officer, Emmanuel Seipheto, said they are facing a significant challenge ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup clash against ASEC Mimosas on Sunday, acknowledging the absence of two key injured players. 

While the team is leveraging on its current premiership form in preparations, Seipheto admitted they are up against a tough opponent.  Hoping to compensate for their player shortage with home-ground advantage, the team is also implementing a proactive marketing strategy. 

This includes community activations and attendance at Saturday’s Rollers/TAFIC match to boost fan engagement and ticket sales.  Seipheto recalled the impressive turnout of 65 000 fans for their first Confederation Cup match against USM Algiers, and expressed hope for similar strong support at the 26 500-seater Obed Itani Chilume Stadium. 

The team, he said, will be under the tutelage of Gadimang Tiiso, the man who took the team to the Orange FA cup finals. 

Meanwhile, the Saturday encounter between TAFIC and Rollers promises to be an electrifying encounter between two of Botswana’s most storied clubs, a fixture steeped in history and intense rivalry. 

TAFIC, enjoying home ground advantage and the fervent support of their local fan base, will be eager to exploit their familiarity with the pitch and the passionate backing of their supporters.

However, Rollers, boasting formidable nationwide supporters, is expected to bring a significant contingent to Francistown, ensuring a vociferous and evenly-matched atmosphere. 

The ‘grass will suffer’ as the old adage goes, a testament to the high-stakes nature of this match. 

Both teams will be vying for the crucial three points, with bragging rights and league position hanging in the balance. 

Past encounters between these two clubs have rarely been dull affairs, frequently resulting in thrilling matches decided by narrow margins.

 Tomorrow’s game is poised to be another chapter in this long-running saga, with both teams expected to field their strongest line-ups and unleash their full attacking potential. 

The history between these two teams guarantees a match filled with drama and excitement from the opening whistle to the final blow of the whistle.  Tickets sell for P50 grand stand and P30 elsewhere. Kick-off time is 1500hrs. Ends