BW SPORT: EXCITING END TO BEMOBILE LEAGUE: WHO WILL IT BE? Jeremiah Sejabosigo for BOPA Competition in the 2013/14 Be Mobile Premier League season has been remarkable with teams tight at both ends of the table. Since the 2008/09 season, when Gaborone United and Mochudi Centre Chiefs squared off to determine the champion on the last day of the season, the country never witnessed an exciting contest for honours as this one. The past four title battles, when Township Rollers in 2010 and 2011 and Mochudi Centre Chiefs in 2012 and 2013 won back-to-back titles, were all concluded with games to spare. But this season, four teams; log leaders Rollers, defending champions Chiefs, BDF XI and GU, stand a chance to snatch the championship as the league goes into the final day of the season. Rollers, who visit troubled Miscellaneous at the Palapye Swallows Ground on Saturday, April 26, have their destiny in their own hands. Mapalastina, Botswana’s most successful football club with 11 league titles, need to beat relegation haunted Miscellaneous to reach an unassailable 64 points and wrap up the championship. And using current form as a measure, Madinda Ndlovu’s men, with players such as Motsholetsi Sikele, Sekhana Koko, Maano Ditshupo and Kobamelo Kebaikanye in impressive form, should see off their opponents. Rollers are undefeated in 26 consecutive league games, while their opponents have endured a rough campaign and require a miracle to dodge the relegation axe. Miscellaneous, however, showed with their committed performance in their goalless draw against GU last weekend that they have not given up in their survival fight yet and are capable of dealing a blow to Rollers ambitions. If Rollers win, Ndlovu will become the first coach to have won three premier league titles in a row. Second placed Chiefs, who visit Ecco City Greens at the Francistown Stadium have roared back into the title race after employing coach, Mike Sithole. They will go for victory and hope Rollers drop points. If Chiefs win by a two-goal margin and Rollers drop points, Magosi will be crowned league champions for the third successive time. BDF XI, who had six points deducted for taking football matters to court, and GU still hold a remote chance of winning the league. But their course is complicated by the fact that they will need Rollers and Chiefs to lose first. GU visit FC Satmos at Selebi Phikwe Stadium while BDF XI travel to Itekeng Stadium for a clash with Orapa United. Therefore, four sets of supporters will be holding their breathe today in the hope that the gods of football will smile on them. Moving to the bottom end of the table, things are set to thrill for neutrals, while it will be a nerve wrecking time for supporters of Miscellaneous, Uniao Flamingo Santos, Notwane and Orapa United. The four teams are going to be involved in a titanic battle for survival. Miscellaneous are in position 15 with 28 points, Santos have 30, Notwane 31 and United 33. Miscellaneous and United face the grim task of trying to secure their survival by beating teams gunning for the league. Notwane on one hand will have a much simpler task of dealing with the already relegated Tafic at the SSKB Stadium to put a satisfactory ending to a season that has resembled something akin to a circus for them after the debacle of a takeover by GMG Holdings. Santos will hope to secure their survival by beating BMC in Lobatse. But that will only happen if Notwane or United were to lose their matches. In other fixtures, Nico United face Extension Gunners in Selebi Phikwe while Motlakase meet Police XI at the Swallows Ground on Sunday, April 26.All matches will kick-off at 3pm
Posted on: Sat, 26 Apr 2014 10:40:00 +0000
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