Debswana First Division South side Rolling Boys had a chance to play in the elite league in 2012 but their joy was cut short when Botswana Football Association (BFA) scrapped off their membership following failure to play affiliation fee.
At the time, they went by the name of Security Systems. It was heartbreak for all those who are close the club but they managed to regroup and bought the status of Rolling Boys.
Though it was not an easy ride to get to the top, the experience of the players coupled with that of head coach Wire Kaelo carried them through.
In the 2013/14 season, Rolling Boys managed to come second and qualified for the Promotional Play-Offs.
This past weekend, the Gaborone-based outfit faced Mahalapye giants BR Highlanders in the first leg match at the Railways Stadium.
It was a game which the hosts won 2-1 but despite the defeat, Rolling Boys’ mentor remains confident that his side can win promotion to the big league. It is Kaelo’s dream to see his charges slugging it out with Botswana’s powerhouses.
Rolling Boys take on Highlanders in the return leg match to be played at SSG Ground on Saturday afternoon.
Kaelo admits that it is a matter of now or never for his side to get promotion to the big league. “At the weekend we were within our objective which was to get a draw with goals but we did costly mistakes which led to their goals. We lost fairly to a good team and we need to shift focus to the return leg. I have no doubt that we can win the game but it will be tough,” said Kaelo.
He added that they will need to be at their best in the return leg hence they will have relaxed training sessions this week.
“It is important we do not put the boys under immense pressure in order to achieve the results we want at the weekend. We will let the boys express themselves well but we need to guard against conceding,” he said.
In the return leg, Rolling Boys supporters will once again pin their hopes on the scoring prowess of veteran striker Galefetoge Kenaope, Orapeleng Nkwe and Fire Matlhare to take them to the Promised Land.
Kaelo showered the club’s fans with praises for inspiring his side wherever they are playing and he has challenge them to be at their best on Saturday.
“Our supporters are the most loyal and we owe it to them. They were fully behind us in Mahalapye and I expect them to do the same on Saturday. We will not disappoint them,” he said.
After watching the first leg tie, Radio Botswana commentator Tiroyaone Lepotokisi tipped Rolling Boys to gain promotion to the Premier League.
He said that Rolling Boys could have at least salvaged a draw in the first leg if was not of the substitutions Kaelo made on the day.
“It was a balanced game which until Rolling Boys made those substitutions. I still fail to understand why they made those subs. Having said that, I fancy that they will win the return leg,” said Lepotokisi. The match kicks off at 3pm.
