Will Gaborone United (GU) and Uniao Flamengo Santos change the fortunes of Botswana football in African club competitions?
The question might seem frivolous after the draw for the CAF Champions League pitted GU against South African giants, Orlando Pirates and Santos against Mozambique's seasoned campaigners, Costa Do Sol in CAF Confederations Cup. Barring a major upset, the two Botswana sides seem doomed. They are not likely to better or equal the record of Notwane as the only Botswana club to reach the last 16 of an African club competition.
In the current campaign, the match to watch for Botswana fans is GU against Pirates.Even if they are tossed out, GU might be smiling all the way to the bank as the South African side command a huge following even in Botswana.
If properly marketed, the game should easily attract a full house in Gaborone, hopefully to the National Stadium. GU have said they want the game to be played at the giant stadium as it can accommodate a large crowd. But the stadium is under renovation and it is not clear if it will be ready when the preliminary round tie is played on the weekend of February 12 to 14.
In all respects, Pirates are miles ahead of GU. Formed in 1937, Pirates is South Africa's oldest club and has won everything on offer on the domestic scene. They are the only southern African team that wears a kit with a star above their badge - symbolic of their triumph in the 1995 Champions League.
Pirates started the 2009-2010 well, winning their first nine matches before hitting a rough patch. However, they still boast some of the best talent in South Africa, including the talismanic, Tsholofelo 'Teko' Modise. Local fans should be salivating at the prospect of watching former Township Rollers' player, Phenyo Mongala in action against his homeboys. Other big names at Pirates include goalkeeper, Moneeb Josephs, Dikgang Mabalane, Terror Fanteni and Lucas Thwala. Their coach Rudolf Krol of Holland is however under pressure after the poor run of form and it is not clear if he will still be around come February. Judging by history, Pirates are favoured to progress through to the first round.
The Buccaneers qualified for the CAF Champions League after finishing second behind Super Sport United. South Africa has been allocated two slots in the Champions League.
Botswana has only one slot taken by GU, which won their first national title last season after nearly 20 years. Formed in Gaborone in 1967, the club became a dominant force in the country and earned the nickname, 'the Money Machine' in the 1980s because of its brutal dominance in cash-laden cup competitions. There was a turbulent time when the club dropped to the First Division for five years but bounced back to claim their first league title in 19 years last season.
They have participated twice in the CAF Champions League - in 1987 and 1991. They went out in the preliminaries and would be looking for a change of fortunes this time around. They participated in the CAF Confederations Cup once in 1984. GU boasts good players in Sageby Sandaka, Ronald Chikomo, Ofentse Nato and Joseph Phethego. Driven by the underdog tag against fancied Pirates might work in their favour.
In the CAF Confederations Cup, Santos is a young side both in talent and history. The club was formed in 2003 and boasts of youthful talent. They won their first major title when they bagged the country's premier knockout cup competition, the Coca-Cola Cup, defeating seasoned campaigners, BDF XI in the final.
Santos are making their debut in continental club competitions. Though they are on a learning curve as first timers, they are expected to hit the ground running. In Thato 'Yellow' Bolelweng, Mogakolodi 'Tsotso' Ngele and Godfrey Ngele, the Gabane side boasts of talented youngsters.
But there is need for experience to guide the young players. Thapelo Sethebethe can provide guidance but lacks international experience.
Santos opponents Clube de Desportos Costa Do Sol of Maputo was formed in 1955 and has participated in numerous CAF competitions. The club has made 11 CAF Champions League appearances, reaching the group stages in 2002. They reached the quarterfinals of the then African Cup Winners' Cup twice in 1996 and 1998. With their rich history, Costa Do Sol start as favourites against Santos.
Source:mmegi.bw/
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