All eyes on GU in second round
Gaborone United ( GU) is the current pacesetters of the 2021/ 22 Botswana Football League ( BFL) season ahead of the commencement of the second round this week. The start of the second round promises twists and turns, with pressure reaching boiling point at both ends of the table log standing.
Whether GU is a real contender at this stage is up for imagination, as the chasing pack are confident there are still games to be won and points to collect, and all showing no fear of the log leaders.
At the helm of the GU dugout are two former Mochudi Centre Chiefs men, Innocent Morapedi and Pontsho Moloi, who would be aware that with the gaps closing between them and the chasing pack, they cannot afford a single blink. Township Rollers are breathing heavily on their neck and their footsteps even loudest, following their ( Rollers) win over Masitaoka to cut GU’s lead at the summit from eight to five points.
GU last won the title in 2009 and they will be looking to end their title drought as evidenced by their lavish spending to build a team capable of lifting the silverware. They have already clinched the Orange FA Cup recently and could be looking for more. Morapedi and Moloi, the former Centre Chiefs’ assistant coach and captain respectively, last met when GU won the league against them, and this could bring flash backs of that season, 2008/ 09. At the time, Centre Chiefs needed a point during a photo- finish encounter against GU, which was denied by the latter. through a 1- 0 win on that day at University of Botswana stadium. Coming to this campaign, GU camp will know from the previous experience that there is no margin for error if they are to emerge triumphant. It looks like the pressure will be soul supping to say the least, with Township Rollers, Orapa United, Jwaneng Galaxy and BDF X1 salivating at the opportunity to turn the tide, while Sua Flamingoes appears to be unlikely pretenders. Inspired by Thatayaone Kgamanyane and Thero Setsile’s scoring prowess, GU boasts a decent squad, capable of going all the way but consistency on the field and the brains in their dug- out will need to be top- notch. Morapedi has explained in an interview, that GU has set themselves measurable and achievable targets at the start of the campaign. “We do have our target that we set for ourselves. They are measureable and achievable targets. Play well attractive football with results, winning games; it means at the end we must bring some silverware. For now we have just brought one. There are some cup competitions which we understand are still going to come along the way. It is our wish and our target to win them. The big one is the league.” Gaborone cannot be United without the mention of the second placed and GU’s sworn- rivals, Township Rollers, who are forcing their way into the conversation of who will win the title, and Morapedi cannot ignore but look back over his shoulder. “I think people are excited to mention Rollers. Rollers are also our good competitors and we need them as opponents. The best thing we can do is to be cautious and focus on our mission with or without Rollers mentioned. I think Rollers are not chasing us but the league and the same goes for us. We are not trying to run away from Rollers but running towards victories and chasing the league to win it, ” said the GU coach regarding the threat posed by his rivals.