Mmegi

Three battle to break into top eight

LARONA MAKHAIZA Correspondent

As the curtain falls on the Botswana Premier League (BPL) season tomorrow and with the relegation and champions’ spot decided, attention turns to three teams battling to break into the top eight. Jwaneng Galaxy will officially lift the trophy tomorrow while Extension Gunners, Mogoditshane Fighters and Prisons XI have exited the Premier League.

Sua Flamingoes currently hold position eight but three teams, Police XI, BDF XI, and Nico United could snatch the place on the last day.

Mathematically, Police XI can go as high as position seven, but it looks unlikely they will displace Masitaoka who have a superior goal difference.

Nico are placed 11th with 36 points and face a Township Rollers that has had an underwhelming season. The two sides meet at the Sam Sono Stadium tomorrow at 3pm.

BDF XI, in 10th position, also has 36 points and could end up in the top eight. The army side is favoured to pluck all three points against a former formidable side in Mogoditshane Fighters in a battle that takes place at the Lobatse Sports Complex.

Of the three teams outside but looking in, Police XI are the closest to the top eight position. The Cops are just a point adrift of Flamingoes but have to win against a hurting Gaborone United side that was dethroned as league champions on Wednesday. The tie will take place at the Otse Police College Stadium.

Although the three teams will need to garner maximum points on the last day, their fate lies with how Flamingoes and Masitaoka perform on Saturday. A win for Flamingoes will extinguish any hope for the three chasing teams.

Flamingoes had a slow start to the season but the appointment of Nikola Kavazovic saw a change in impetus. Sua is expected to leave it all on the field of play when they take on relegated Prisons XI at the Sowa Town Council Stadium.

Meanwhile, Mandla Mpofu’s troops, Masitaoka do not have that much of a threat, as the three teams outside the top eight bracket will need to be more clinical in front of goal to overturn the goal difference. Masitaoka will square off against Holy Ghost who survived the relegation axe that was hovering over their heads for the whole season. The two teams will face each other at the Molepolole Sports Complex.

At the top end, champions Galaxy expect a guard of honour from Eleven Angels who managed to secure a top eight finish in their first maiden season. The 2022-2023 champions will take on Angels at the Galaxy Stadium. Third-placed Orapa United play relegated Extension Gunners at the Itekeng Stadium.

Despite their relegation, Gunners have been in fine form. Security Systems are at home to Morupule Wanderers in their last match of the season. All matches will be played tomorrow and kick-off at 3pm.

Inside Sport

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2023-06-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://enews.mmegi.bw/article/281973202039186

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