20 Dec 2016

The only positive thing Great North Tigers (GNT) left the old Francistown stadium with on Sunday (December 18) afternoon  was a bulging bag full of gate takings.

The Debswana First Division North encounter, which pitted Tafic and GNT together, was a tight affair on the field of play with GNT managing to contain Tafic for the entire first half of the game, only for their resolute defence to crumble in the second half.

Log leaders, Tafic, won the game 3-0 .

GNT, under the tutelage of Edward ‘Pro’ Leposo, seemed to have read Tafic’s play in the previous weekend when the log leaders drew with Real Movers; a side coached by Leposo’s brother, Keleenetse.

One would assume that the brothers shared notes prior to the game, which was hosted by GNT at the now killer ground of Tafic, the old Francistown stadium.

Tafic’s recent form saw their old time supporters throng the old Francistown stadium.

In the first half, GNT’s Boneelo Palalani proved to be a thong on Tafic’s defence manned by seasoned Zeco Makafiri, Michael Murirwa, Thato Mosweu and Mbako Mabotho.

However, his darting runs into the box often found Tafic goalkeeper Thatayaone Thandazela in his best and saved most of the potentially dangerous attacks.

GNT defence of the likes of Mothalefi Leshiba, Batshwere Olobeng and Lekang Habana ensured that their goalkeeper Kealeboga Hobona was safe for most of the first half.

In the second half, Blessing Moyo in Tafic’s bench made a tactical substitution, taking out the ineffective Mbatshi Elias and bringing in Uyapo Thibathuwe, who has speed as his most brilliant advantage.  

Moyo also pulled out captain, Kabo Ogolotse and brought in the much promising Motseoatile Elijah and such change infused a breath of life in Tafic’s attack.

Suddenly, the solid like a rock defence of Leposo’s charges started to crumble and they had no answers for Tafic’s attacks spearheaded by Mooketsi Mampori, Mbatshi Machongo and Kemoreng Batisani.

It was from such pressure that Batisani got his first goal of the game on the 75th minute when a cross sent into the danger box beat GNT goalie Hubona and hit the upright then rolled into the net to send Tafic’s supporters into wild celebrations.

On the 85^th minute, a long ball sent into the path of Batisani saw him tap in an easy ball to get his brace after GNT goalie Hubona left his line to try and clear the ball, but missed and the ball rolled into an empty net to earn Tafic a well-deserved 2-0 lead.  

Tafic wrapped up the day with a brilliantly taken free-kick on the 88th minute by their hard tackling midfielder Molebatsi Kangangwani, who left Hubona in GNT’s post dumb-stricken.

This means Tafic will go into the Christmas break having topped the league on the first round with 25 points from 11 games, only goals difference separating them with second placed BR Highlanders. ENDS