Magosi seek shock upset
The most enticing game of the BTC Premiership this weekend is arguably between Kgatleng sleeping giants Mochudi Center Chiefs and 2016/17 reigning champions Township Rollers at the National stadium. In recent history, neither form nor the impressive roster from each side has decided the outcome of the match. This is the sort of fixture where the character of players will always lead to spectacular goals being scored and amazing acrobats in the goal line. The 12th man is also a big factor as tempers flare in the stands and errors being severely punished.
Thus far, Magosi have have had a torrid early part of the season while the sizzling Popa Popa have been in great form. However that doesn't declare Popa as the winners of the match considering their the sizzling form. Magosi have always given Mapalastina a torrid time and this makes for entertaining football. Lately Rollers have seen their side form a more organized side under Serbian Coach Nikola Kavazovic, the side has a hard rock defense which has left attackers sweating and failing to get behind with Semisane Mathumo, Edwin Olerile, Mosha Gaolaolwe and Tshepho Mothabankwe who have all formed an unshakable defensive mechanism at the back.
Kavazovic has played a leading role early after taking up the job, with his onus of changing play during the game being fruitful as players respond positively and look more comfortable with the tasks. Kovazovic can switch from 4-5-1, 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 in the blink of an eye. The coach will have to be cautious on his approach this time and play his trusted 4-5-1 formation which will give him shape at the back, with this formation Kovazovic will use Tshepho Matete and Motsholetsi Sikele as the full backs, tasking them with attacking and defensive duties while the back line remains in place most of the time.Maano Ditshupo will be the guard in the center of the park while Lemponye Tshireletso will be unleashed to play a free role, with his creativity in the midfield expected to impact on the leading striker Mthokozisi Msomi in the absence of leading goal scorer Joel Mogorosi who is out on injury.
The last time Rollers lost a league game was last year November against a stubborn Magosi side at the same venue and the MmaMasire based side will not want to see their unbeaten run sail away from them in discarded fashion. On the other hand, Chiefs can send shock waves through the Rollers faithful as they go into the game without anything to lose, the Kgatleng based side has seen their performance decline over the past season and it doesn't look different this season as their start to the season cannot be looked at with both eyes.
Innocent Morapedi's troops will have to dig deep if they plan a shock upset over the star studded Mapalastina who have gone unbeaten for more than 20 games in the league now. Morapedi will obviously call to task his trusted and ancient 4-4-2 formation with four flat defenders, Thato Kebue, Charles Mutero, Gosegonna Molapise and Katlego Keobake, the four will be holding the high line for Magosi. Magosi will need a lot of energy and speed in the midfield with Captain Lesego Galenamothale missing out on suspension, Thato Ogopotse and Lawrence Majawa will fit in the center of the park and try to control the tempo of the game.
Magosi will put up pacey wingers in Lesego Lubinda and Thatayaone Ramatlapeng who will put to test the aging Township Rollers defenders, the set of wingers are expected to play in crosses a lot of the time targeting their lethal strikers Khumoitsile Kufigwa and Tendai Nyamadzao who will pose aerial threat to Popa. Newly appointed Magosi coach Kinnah Phiri will be watching his side from the stands as he continues to wait for his work permit, his presence can turn motivational to the current crop of demoralized Magosi players however.
