Orange FA pomp continues
Once again, the Orange FA Cup returns this coming weekend with another round of exhilarating football fanfare, upsets and the exit of eight teams from the 2019 tournament. The million-pula question, however, is who amongst the 16 teams will bite the dust as the heat intensifies coming into round three of the Orange FA cup.
The battlefield will be away from the lavish bright green grass but the dusty fields for many teams participating in the tournament. It is only the stone hearted that will survive the blurred vision. Based on the fixtures, it is hard to tell who is most likely to come out victorious however one of the games that will probably spark public interest is that of Orapa United and Sand Diamonds Club of Hukuntsi.
The game will be played at Tshane Prisons Grounds giving Sand Diamonds a home ground advantage. Fortunately for the Hukuntsi based side, they have been saved the trip to travel to Orapa, which might have worked greatly against them as they come into the game as underdogs.
Playing against an elite league giant like Orapa is perhaps one of the most intimidating moments for a second division team of Sand Diamonds. Just the thought of having to break the thick walls of experienced players like Ommatla Kebatho, Mpho Kgaswane, Kobamelo Kebaikanye and Lemogang Maswena to name a few is enough to squash all the Sand Diamonds gathered confidence.
However, Coach Thabo Phori of Diamonds will have to develop a thick skin and try to put out his best show. Having survived round one and two of the tournament could only suggest that he has a pool of bold and defiant players that can take the game to a whole new level when playing Orapa.
Another interesting clash is that of Sankoyo Bush Bucks and Jwaneng Galaxy. Both elite league teams come to play in a very foul mood. Sankoyo has not been doing well this season while Galaxy is busy trying to paint the team as the next best hot thing to have ever happened to Botswana Football. In fact, they are actually doing a good job so far in claiming the bragging rights.
Sankoyo might be down but defiantly not out, the Maun based side actually has a stubborn attitude towards local big teams. Sankoyo can gladly receive serious drubbings from developing teams however always pull from all reserve tanks against big opponents.
With that, Galaxy might just as well prepare for a very electrifying and challenging game in Maun. Nevertheless, Galaxy also can equally decide to humble Sankoyo at whistle blow and totally destroy all tactics and weapons formed against them.
With the defending champions, Gaborone United out, Township Rollers is one of the teams that are expected to chase the gold title. However, they will have to break the barrier that is Extension Gunners. The match that will be played in Lobatse will see Rollers flex its muscles to eliminate Mapantsola from the competition. Mapantsola are one unpredictable side, Coach Pontsho Moloi as one of the youngest coaches locally is thirsty for blood. In his efforts to mark his presence, defeating Rollers will decorate his portfolio well.
On the other side, Mochudi Centre Chiefs (MCC) will travel all the way to Jwaneng to play against a first division south team of Jwaneng Fighters. MCC will have to prove that they are the bigger team coming into the match however there is no telling how success hungry Fighters will react once provoked at home soil.
Other games scheduled for the weekend are that of Kazungula Fighters against Tafic in Kasane, BDF XI will play Notwane in Molepolole. BR Highlanders against Security Systems and Miscellaneous up against Police XI in Serowe.
