2-1 win against GU a boost ahead of Top 8 clash

Ecco City Greens have sent a stern warning to Mascom Top 8 Defending Champions Township Rollers when the two teams meet in a second leg clash this weekend.

Rollers come into the match holding a narrow 2-1 lead they inflicted on their nemesis a fortnight ago.

Rollers won the inaugural Cup last year, defeating the 2005 league Champions 3-1 in a thrilling encounter.

A 1-0 win for Momoja Diskie will be enough to see them through in an away goal rule, and following their 2-1 league win over third placed Gaborone United on Wednesday evening, Atshele Molapi cannot be faulted for believing that his side has what it takes to bring down the Defending Champions.

He will be encouraged by Rollers’s shock 0-1 loss to unpredictable BMC on Wednesday night.

Molapi said his players missed a lot of scoring opportunities in the first leg and were punished as a result.

He said Rollers should not expect an easy game as they will fight as wounded buffalos in order to proceed to the semi final.

The tactician said they have worked hard on their tactics and plan to stifle Rollers’ supply from the midfield, which is the area where Rollers have shown great strength.

Molapi said the one goal they scored in the first leg could prove to be decisive.

“Our win against GU has boosted our morale especially after losing 5-2 to BDF X1.

We are also injury free and have a full and experienced squad to choose from.

We have a game plan, and I expect the players to follow my instructions to the letter,” he said.

Ecco skipper Emmanuel Nlu said the morale in the dressing room is very high and was optimistic that they will be able to get that all important goal that could prove decisive.

The hard tackling Nlu however cautioned his teammates against complacency as conceding a goal would make their task even more difficult.

“They are a good side but we still have a chance of going to the next stage.

We work hard as a team, fight until the last whistle and we have prepared well,” He added.

Meanwhile Gaborone United will shift their focus to the Top 8 Cup after being knocked out of CAF champions preliminary round.

United suffered their second loss in a row and will have to be at their best against Nico United on Saturday.

Major David Bright’s side also goes into the match with a 2-1 lead but could be in for a shock should some of their injured key players fail to recover on time.

Speaking after their loss to Ecco, GU mentor Major David Bright said lot of injuries at his camp has contributed to their loss.

“Tebogo Sembowa, Tumisang Sekanonyane, Makundika Sakala and our left back Kaelo Kgaswane are injured.

Not taking anything away from players who started the game their absence has affected our play.

It is a big problem and I do not know if they would have recovered before our game against Nico,” said Bright.