The hectic schedule for the defending champions, Gaborone United (GU), might compound the problems the team already finds itself in. GU is not playing well and has already lost two matches and is anchored in the middle of the table.
They will also find it difficult to challenge for league honours because they are behind the log leaders, Township Rollers, by a massive fourteen points.
Today (Wednesday) GU are scheduled to play high-riders BDF XI and on Sunday they will engage another league contender, Extension Gunners.
The two matches come at a time when GU lost their weekend match to the other big team, Mochudi Centre Chiefs. The loss to Chiefs and the forthcoming two matches come at a time when the defending champions have just suspended their coach, Mike Sithole.
Sithole has been suspended under mysterious circumstances and will face a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.
Anything, including sacking, can happen.
Sithole was suspended the day before their match against Centre Chiefs. Assistant coach Jaid Jalaal was made caretaker coach.
But the team was just a shadow of its former self and Centre Chiefs took advantage of that and scored two goals. The margin could even have been wider had they utllised many opportunities that came their way.
How GU will play against the two top teams is worrisome to their supporters.
Before the coach was suspended, the team had suspended two influential players who helped them win the league.
Itayi Gwandu ended up joining rivals Township Rollers, while Sageby Sandaka returned after serving a three month suspension.
GU has the kind of players all teams envy and it is just a matter of instilling confidence and finding the right combinations. The team also has several new faces that have proved to have what it takes once given a chance.
Upfront there are the likes of Tiroyamodimo Mohambi, Botlhe Rankgomo, Ronald Chikomo and Sandaka.
In the midfield, Tshepho Molefhe’s defence splitting passes are enough for the strikers to convert.
In BDF, they are meeting a team that has found a winning rhythm. After a sluggish start, they have even collected six points from their past two matches and would be looking forward to continue where they left off.
BDF signed several enterprising players after releasing three veterans in the name of Masego Nchingane, Ernest Amos and Nelson ‘Viola’ Gabolwelwe. They will be in full force because their kingpin defender, Mompati Thuma, has already served his suspension after being sent off two weeks ago against Ecco City Green.
Just like BDF XI, Gunners have collected maximum points in their past two matches and would not want anybody to halt their winning ways. They are also in with a chance for the league championship after many years of dryness.
Gunners’ striker, Bernard Simakwenzi, is also on fire and GU might have problems containing him. Last weekend, he single handedly scored four goals against Uniao Flamengo Santos.