Township Rollers
Given that log leaders Township Rollers are yet to lose a game, it is difficult to say exactly where they need to strengthen. With quality in all departments, ‘Popa’ are favorites to clinch the league title this season. Despite Rollers being perched at the top of the league and still yet to lose a league game, coach Mark Harrison has made no secret the fact that he wants to strengthen his squad when the January transfer window opens. In a recent interview, the Rollers gaffer said the team is looking to bring at least two players; a striker and a defender. However, given that Rollers’ scores an average of 2.3 and concedes 0.53 goals per game, it is difficult to see where the team needs to strengthen.
Orapa United
Positioned second on the beMOBILE Premiership standings, 2015/16 season is proving a very fruitful season for the Madinda Ndlovu drilled Orapa based outfit. After finishing second in the league last season, the ‘Ostriches’ have continued to prove that their performance was no flash in the pan as they have lost only one game this season, proving they are now strong contenders behind Rollers. Despite scoring 27 goals this season, with an average of 1.69 goals per game, there is no doubt that the Orapa United management may look to add more goal threat to the team as only three players account for at least 78 percent of all the league goals. What may be worrisome is that of these goal scorers, two are midfielders while the third is a striker. Leading the way for Orapa United is attacking midfielder Thabang Sesinyi, who has netted 11 times, while another midfielder Lemogang Maswena and striker Patrick Lenyeletse have scored five goals each. Aside from Lenyeletse, the only striker to have netted for Orapa United is Ronald Chikomo, who has had a return of one goal in seven appearances while the other strikers, Bonolo Fraiser (8 appearances) and Emmanuel Nlu (1 appearance) are yet to find the back of the net this season. Though they can add a player at the back or in the middle of the park, there is no doubt that these positions would not be of much worry for the Orapa side. So far this season, the Ostriches have only conceded nine goals, an average of 0.53 goals per goal and together with Rollers are the best teams defensively.
Mochudi Centre Chiefs
Sitting behind both Rollers and Orapa United on third position, the defending champions have had a mixed start to the season. So far this season, Chiefs have proven to have no problem in attack, having netted 29 times, an average scoring rate of 1.8 goals per game. The team’s average goal ratio is bettered only by log leaders Township Rollers. While they have quality in abundance both in the midfield and in attack, Centre Chiefs management will have concerns with the team’s frailties in defence. Despite conceding just 11 goals so far in the season, Chiefs’ defence has been their ‘Achilles heel’ when faced with better opponents. With only six recognized defenders, ‘Magosi’ have proved to be short of cover in the event of injury to players. The shortness in cover has at times seen gaffer Mike Sithole forced to improvise with midfielder Lesego Galenamothale at times forced to deputise in defence. The Chiefs’ cause is also not helped by the injury to central defender Charles Mutero, who has played only three games this season, before succumbing to injury. With the Confederation of African Cup (CAF) Champions league beckoning, it will not be amiss of Chiefs’ management and technical bench to prioritise defence this coming transfer window.
BDF XI
Wrapping up the top four is BDF XI. While the team is just two points behind third placed Centre Chiefs, the team management will be at pains to decide where they want to strengthen. Despite being blessed with talented players both at the back and in attack, of the top four teams, Matebele has scored the least number of goals and conceded the most. Having scored just twenty goals after 16 games this season, BDF XI has also conceded 15 goals so far, leaving it with a goal difference of just five goals. On average, ‘Matebele’ scores just about 1.25 goals a game and concedes on average 0.94 goals per game, thus meaning the team has problems at both ends. While Coach Beston Chambeshi has always insisted he is rebuilding, deep down, the truth is he may be concerned with his team’s performance at both ends. Of the 20 goals his team has scored so far, only five have been scored by their strikers, with Kenneth Kaunda accounting for four while the other goal came through Khumbulani Madziba. Interestingly, 14 goals have come through their midfielders with Oagile Kobe and Ofentse Mmipi having three goals apiece. With the likes of Mosha Gaolaolwe, Othusitse Mpharitlhe, Keleagetse Mogomotsi, Koziba Tlhabano and Pelontle Lerole in defence, just to mention some, Coach Chambeshi has one of the best though inexperienced defenders. The coach however should be looking for at least one old head to guide his inexperienced defence.
