Matebele target Popa runaway train

The undefeated beMOBILE premiership 2015/16 championship frontrunners - Township Rollers - will be in a tricky affair this Saturday when they face BDF XI at the Molepolole Sports Complex.

‘Matebele a Mantsho,’ as BDF are popularly known will relish the chance of being the first team to beat the undefeated Rollers in a league fixture when the two meet this weekend. In past seasons Popa Popa have been known to start well early in the season only to run out of steam by the second round. However, the MmaMasire glamour boys seem to be an unstoppable force this season.

Only Police XI have been able to beat Rollers 1-0 during the Mascom Top 8 second fixture at the Molepolole sports complex. After the shock defeat, Rollers headcoach Mark Harrison complained that his charges had lost focus following a 4-2 first leg win against the   Jungle Kings. Harrison added that Rollers’ first and only defeat of the season was because his charges had become complacent due to previous success.

Meanwhile, Rollers travelled to Itekeng stadium over the weekend in what was deemed to be a tough game against Orapa United. Yet again Popa came out of Itekeng stadium unscathed after a goalless draw. This begs the question on whether anybody can beat Popa this season.

Nonetheless, BDF XI will come into the match as underdogs, but they may be one of the only three teams that could realistically pull an upset on the runaway Popa steam train. Currently Popa are elevated in the rarefied atmosphere with an impressive 37 points while BDF are   fourth with 29 points and only four defeats.

However, Popa still run like a well-oiled machine despite being in the second round of the season. Harrison seems to have found a winning formula that has consistently worked against tough opposition. The BDF defence will have a lot to deal with, considering Rollers attack that features Carl Finnigan, Jerome Louis, Jerome Ramatlhakwane, Sekhana Koko, Joel Mogorosi and Maano Ditshupo. On the flipside Matebele will have to be spot on defensively and take scoring chances earlier.

This will allow them to hold Mapalastina later on. BDF headcoach Beston Chambesi will rely heavily on reliable star strikers Patrick Kaunda and Keeagile Kobe. Still on attack BDF will need the services of Ofentse Mmipi and Mosha Gaolaolwe, while goal poacher Mwampule Masule will come against his former team.

Meanwhile, Frida’s beMOBILE fixture will feature FC Satmos vs. Orapa United (Selibi Phikwe), BR Highlander vs. Mochudi Centre Chiefs (Serowe). On Saturday Gaborone United will take on Gilport Lions (National Stadium), Nico United vs. Green Lovers (Selibi Phikwe), Extension Gunners vs. Sankoyo Bush Bucks (Lobatse), Miscelleneous vs. Motlakase Power Dynamos. The only fixture on Sunday will be Galaxy FC vs Police IX.