Sundowns sparring partners ready for Botswana league opener
Mamelodi Sundowns sparring partners Township Rollers have declared themselves ready for the 2022/23 Botswana Premier League season’s opener.
Rollers coach Thabo Motang, whose team’s pre-season roster included Sundowns, said this ahead weekend’s season kick-off.
Motang told the club’s Facebook page his side has gained a lot from the pre-season games, including against Sundowns.
“I would say the team is in good shape. It has been a long pre-season. We have worked on different elements of our game,” he said.
Rollers wound up the pre-season schedule with a 1-0 win over Extension Gunners on October 15.
Edwin Moalosi scored the lone goal for the former Botswana champions who are affectionately called Popa.
Motang said Popa were ready to open their league campaign against Mogoditshane Fighters on Sunday.
“We had to profile our squad and changed slightly how we have been playing to suit the squad and we believe we are ready for the league.”
The former Botswana league champions traveled to South Africa to face Sundowns behind closed doors on September 18 2022.
Sundowns showed their strength in depth by beating Rollers 5-0, hours after beating AmaZulu 1-0 on the same day at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Aubrey Modiba, Lesedi Kapinga and Lyle Lakay, among others, scored for Sundowns.
Seasoned goalkeeper Denis Onyango also saved a penalty for Rollers in that game.
Rollers featured their new signings, including former Sundowns winger Mogakolodi Ngele.
The former SuperSport United winger seemed happy returning to his former home.
Ngele seized the moment to pose for photo opportunities with his former Sundowns team mates such as Themba Zwane.
Botswana Premier League has since released the fixtures showing Popa will face Fighters at Molepolole.
BOTSWANA PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES-WEEK 1
Rollers v Fighters
Prison v Security Systems
Police v Extension Gunners
BDF v Gaborone United
Eleven Angels v Wanderers
Holly Ghosts v Jwaneng
Orapa United v Masitaoka
Nico v Flamingoes