Money Machine
The expensively assembled MoneyMachine, bankrolled by business mogul, Nicolas Zakhem and Bank Gaborone, will be desperate to take all three points on Saturday afternoon, having suffered a second round defeat against the Blues this past season.
The Gaborone derby takes place this weekend in what will arguably be their biggest clash of the season so far and their toughest test yet.
A win against their close rivals and current log leaders, Township Rollers, would further cement the MoneyMachine’s intentions to retain the title.
Benny Kgomela and Pontsho Moloi are aware that this is a fixture like no other, the three points mean much more than the tally itself in the context of a title push and psychological ramifications.
Thabo ‘ Mahala’ Motang and his troops will be mindful of the challenge that lies ahead having watched them win all top local honours last season.
Since taking charge of the team, post State of Emergency ( SoE), Pontsho Moloi has seen his side play 45 matches in which they have only tasted four ( 4) defeats, three ( 3) draws, 38 wins and 27 clean sheets, boasting an impressive 84 percent win rate. Rampant Gaborone based side have scored a staggering 74 goals in the 45 matches played, they are also currently on a run of 14 unbeaten matches since their last taste of defeat ( 1- 0) against Rollers back in February 2022 at Royal Aria stadium.
Other defeats came against BDFX XI, Orapa United ( Mascom Charity Cup) and in the CAF Champions League against AS Vita of Democratic Republic of Congo who claimed a 3- 2 aggregate win over the local side.
In that time, the team won the Orange FA cup and went on to successfully defend the title before adding the BFL league title to their cabinet.
In the season that has just begun, last man of defense, Goitseone Phoko, is yet to concede a goal in 270 minutes of football and looks destined to once more claim the golden gloves award.
Kennedy Amutenya has fought his way back into the first XI of the side, forming a resolute defensive partnership with Thato Kebue, which has relegated Tshepo Maikano to watch from the sidelines. However, blessed with riches of attacking talents, there is a feel of discontentment within the team that the six ( 6) goals scored in the first three matches are nowhere near the high standards they have set themselves.
Thatayaone Kgamanyane ( x2), Onkabetse Makgantai ( x2), Siswe Thwala and Captain Mpho Kgaswane have opened their scoring accounts and scored the six goals thus far.
Thero Setsile, Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, Ronel Mayanga and Mark Makwata are some of the attacking talents who are waiting to prove their worth to the side and add goal contributions.
Thatayaone Kgamanyane’s goal gave Gaborone United all the important points in their home encounter played at Obed Itani Chilume stadium, while Marc Dion scored for Rollers to give Mapalastina faithful supporters a sweet revenge on their arch- rivals.
In their last encounter, 8 000 capacity stadium, Royal Aria, proved to be too small to accommodate the two giants, resulting in a stampede and ugly scenes which led to Rollers security manager, Motlatsi Montsi and Chief Executive Officer, Bennett Mamelodi served with suspensions by the BFL.
On Saturday however, multitudes are expected to throng the national stadium to witness the battle of the two giants for the bragging rights for some months to come.