Botswana’s Premier League might be headed for a photo finish if current developments are anything to go by.
The league champions might be a subject of speculation until the very last day of the league as it is very difficult to evaluate the team that is likely to take the champions league.
For some time, Township Rollers have been on top but have since been toppled by Mochudi Centre Chiefs who are leading them by a point. Mochudi Centre Chiefs started the league like a house on fire but their performance declined a bit along the way paving way for Rollers. Rollers, on the other hand, fizzled out in their last two games and that has since given both Centre Chiefs and BDF XI a chance to close in on them. Already both Rollers and BDF XI are participating in the club Africa competitions while Chiefs are not. Rollers are competing in CAF Champions League while BDF XI are competing in the CFA Confederations.
Both teams started their CAF journeys yesterday (Saturday) and it remains to be seen how far they will go in their quest for victory. What is however interesting is that the duo of Township Rollers and Centre Chiefs have quality players in their folds which was reinforced the past transfer season. Rollers were even active in the market as they signed four experienced, quality players like goalkeeper, Noah Maposa, Dirang Moloi, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Jerome Ramatlhakwane and Edwin Moalosi. With the exception of Moalosi, all the players have impeccable international experience that can help them win anything they aim for.
The last time the country witnessed an interesting photo finish was about six years ago when Gaborone United (GU) won the league. They won the league on the final day of the league in a match against Mochudi Centre Chiefs, courtesy of Wellington Maposa’s goal. Interestingly GU were playing the very same team that is also currently vying for the league title. Even soccer pundit, Fobby Rapotsane foresees a situation whereby both Rollers and Chiefs fight all the way up to the last match of the league something he says is very healthy for the league. “Both teams have quality players and apparently, they are paying their players well compared to others.
That on its own is a motivation and players would not want to lose any match. So, definitely they are capable of going all the way to the very end. It is healthy for the league to be like that because it creates pressure on the teams,” he said.
