Gaborone United (GU) face another tough assignment this afternoon when they take on fast-improving BDF XI in what promises to be a thrilling game to be played at Molepolole Sports Stadium.
The Reds have never had it easy against the army side and it is likely to be no different in this clash. The Reds are placed second on the log with 25 points from 11 matches with the army side on the third spot with 19 points.
After a storming start to the campaign, GU have been disappointing in their past two games sharing spoils with BMC and Notwane something which has led to some supporters questioning the gaffer’s tactics in those games. The absence of leading scorer Tebogo Sembowa due to injury has also not helped things for the 2009 league champions.
Despite coming up against a stubborn BDF XI, GU head coach David Bright remains calm. He said that as much as he is aware of the threat that Matebele poses, he has no doubt that his side would come to the party.
“It’s going to be a tough game but the good thing is that my players do not need any motivation in games of this nature. We’re going all out for the maximum points. I want to believe that BDF XI are also scared of us,” said Bright on Friday afternoon.
He dismissed reports that his side is under immense pressure going into this game especially after dropping four points in their past two games. He said that they have managed to address the players because they were cost by complacency against BMC and Notwane.
“I think the two games came as an eye-opener. They (players) thought the games were going to be easy. Having said that I don’t think my players are under any pressure. The league race is still open, if we were left with three games then I would be worried,” he added.
This weekend the Reds will once again have to do without the services of their leading scorer Tebogo Sembowa and left-back Gosegonna Molapisi who are carrying injuries. But Bright is confident that he has enough to take BDF XI head on. In the absence of Sembowa, the burden of scoring goals would lie on the shoulders of Ronald Chikomo and Sageby Sandaka. Matebele come into the game buzzing with confidence having beaten Motlakase 5-0 in their last game.
While the army side looks stronger when going forward having scored 24, it seems that it is in defence where they are at times found wanting conceding 12 goals in 11 games. BDF XI publicity officer Philemon Mompati said that since the arrival of former Police XI defender Ndiyapo Letsholathebe they have been stable at the back.
Letsholathebe has featured in three games for Matebele so far and Mompati is confident that his partnership with Mompati Thuma at the heart of the defence would be to their advantage today. “We’ll give GU the respect they deserve but that does not mean that we’ll let them run over us. We’re going out there to compete because we have what it takes,” warned Mompati.
BDF XI mouthpiece hinted that they have a clean bill of health which surely makes them confident of coming away with maximum points. Lemponye Tshireletso, Jone Kwape and Ofentse Mmipi pose the main threat for the Reds. In their meetings last season, GU won the first round 3-2 before Matebele won 1-0 in the second round. Kick off is at 4pm.
