FNB Premiership Matchweek 1
The month of October is here, and in the Northern Hemisphere, that often means the
days are flush with falling leaves, chilling weather, and growing anticipation for the
holiday season.
In Botswana footballing circles, it however means that, the football games are
beginning and true to its latin meaning, the anticipation is growing ever more
enormous for one team to clinch the title and for the other three to bite the dust.
Week 1 has come as fast as it has gone. The mouth-watering fixtures were
headlined by Gaborone Derby, a fixture that was played on Friday night where about
18 000 spectators thronged the national stadium. It was a game that lived up to
expectations.
Within 20 minutes of the second stanza, both teams were still tied. When the clock
struck 25 minutes from the second half, the host Gaborone United had gone ahead
with Thatayaone Kgamanyane’s header but within a minute, Township Rollers had
replied with Segolame Boys’ goal and it meant that the two rivals clattered into one
another, steely and unapologetic. It set a new tone for other fixtures; a tetchy and
fractious mood that, hopefully, is a sign of better things to come.
Indeed, better things came! How can someone ignore the pull of Mochudi Center
Chiefs and the charm of Lobatse’s Extension Gunners. While it is easy to recall that
these two well-supported clubs missed the premier league stage for some time, it is
equally with great elation to remember that their presence in the elite league is
advantage no matter where one looks at it.
Chiefs trotted on the road to Morupule Wanderers and chalked up a great away win
against premier league most knowledgeable coach Phillimon Makhwengwe. On the
other hand, the Peleng giants took a monkey off their back by beating Sua
Flamingoes for the first time since their existence. Both new entrants won by a
solitary goal.
A handful of games were instant classics. League rookies, Chadibe FC pushed
Orapa United to the edge and when the final whistle blew, it turned out to be the only
game from week 1 without a goal. Flamengo Santos is the only new entrant this
week 1 that came out with nothing after premier league perennial campaigners
Security Systems gave them a rude awakening by thrashing them by 3-0.
In a league buoyed and powered by First National Bank(FNB), there is no how any
body will be left behind. The finishing line might be far, but the ball has began rolling.
Both TAFIC FC and Security Systems find themselves at the apex of the standings
after recording similar statistics against their opponents.
Everyone has come to the field and impressed in a week where a total of 16 goals
were scored. But for Jwaneng Galaxy, back to back champions, it was a routine
fixture against unsettled VTM side where Onkabetse Makgantai scored his first premier league goal for the side. Three home sides registered wins while the same
number of teams recorded wins when playing away. Two fixtures ended with a draw
and ironically those were the games played on Friday.
16 goals scored
2 fixtures ended with a draw
3 home teams record wins
3 away teams came with a win
Other notes;
Two players scored a brace on week 1
Extension Gunners beat Sua Flamingoes for the first time
Both Kgamanyane and Boy continue their scoring spree on derby games.
