19 Sep 2016

Tafic has secured a space in the BOT50 Independence Cup semi-finals following a  3-1 win against Monarch First XI on September 16.

A brace from Mbatshi Machongo ensured that Tafic aka Machimenyenga beat Monarch First XI to book themselves into the semi-finals of the tournament and they await an encounter with Sladden Eagles next week.

Tafic reached this stage after walloping Calendar Stars while Monarch First XI won its encounter with Somerset Stars. Monarch First XI play was scrappy at times with lone striker Anthony Maesimane guilty of a few misplaced passes and too often running into dead ends, while their midfield struggled.

In the opening stages of the first half, Moyo’s men took the game from the visitors, but their decision making in the box failed to yield results.

However, in the seventh minute Mbatshi Machongo made no mistake by flashing what it looked like a 25-yard pile drive to score in the first half.

With no time from the first goal, Machongo tried his luck again from a similar distance but was unsuccessful when he hit the cross bar. Mbatshi Elias was traumatising the defence of Monarch First XI and in the 28^th minute, he scored a beautiful goal from range.

Against the run of the play, Monarch First XI moved forward in the middle of the park, allowing Edmore Gukgwe to take a shot, which was saved by keeper Thatayaone Thandazela in the 36^th minute.

Hardly two minutes, Thandazela made another superb save from a free kick by Antony Maesimane which was deflected for a corner.

Nevertheless, it was Tafic that finished the first half stronger and at half time it was 2 – 0 in favour of Machimenyenga. 

Though there was no lack of attacking intent from Monarch First XI in the first half, in the second half they came more determined to score.

In the second half, the visiting team, Monarch First XI had seen enough and brought on Sonny Gwakuba to replace Maesimane in a bid to add some spark on their attack. They turned up much stronger in the second half, pressuring Tafic hard and forcing those predictable defensive mistakes, which ended Gosaitse Dongwana a yellow card after fouling Gwakuba in the edge of the 18th area.

In 58th minute Gwakuba converted from a free kick giving Tafic goal minder no chance in what it looked like a super sub to make it 2-1. 

Monarch First XI initially started the second half with more intent, but soon reverted back to the more pedestrian tempo adopted in the opening 45 minutes.

With 14 minutes to go Machongo had a good move, scoring his second goal of the day as he received a sweet pass from Michael Morirwa from the right before managing a good finish in the box.

The visitors missed the best chance of the half, though, when Trust Viya teed up Boemo Gaatsholwe on the edge of the area, only for the forward to fizz a half volley past the right-hand post when he should have at least hit the target.

Machimenyenga were under pressure in the final 10 minutes of play as Monarch First XI nearly scored their second goal, but Tafic goalkeeper made crucial touch over the bar to deny the visitors in the box.

Substitute Uyapo Tibathuwe came close to bagging another one for Tafic when he received a flick on from Elias on the right, only his well struck shot go just over the cross bar.

Both teams made numerous changes in the second half in a bid to shape their style of play. 

With four minutes to go, Machongo did what he does best by dribbling Monarch defence and flick for a good header by Kabo Ogolotse who was denied by goalkeeper Kwanele Dongwana.  

Tafic assistant coach, Elias Chinyemba said after the game, that they played good football in the first 45 minutes but lacked energy in the second half because of heat. 

“As we are using these games for our pre-season preparations for Debswana First Division North league, we made numerous changes today to try many combinations,” he said. ENDS