27 Sep 2017

The city of Francistown was in a celebratory mood on Tuesday night as Tafic registered its first victory of the BTC campaign against Security Systems.

Machimenyenga, as the club is affectionately called by its legion of supporters, won 2-1. 

Fans, who were in a celebratory mood, broke out in song and dance at the Francistown Sports Complex to savour the victory. 

It had been years since the Francistown club had played and won an elite football match. Tafic were emerging from defeat in their opening game against Township Rollers where they lost 2-1, while Systems were also thrashed 3-0 by BDF XI.

Just after kick-off, Systems’ Kaone Molefe took on three Tafic defenders, but the ball was cleared to safety by Bokamoso Mbambo.

 In the second minute, Molefe had a  breakthrough and his grass cutter shot led to an early goal for the visitors.

Molefe was a thorn on the Tafic defence and sliced their defensive wall with ease to shoot at the  keeper. 

Tafic soon settled down and launched attacks on the visitors defence, but squandered goal scoring opportunities. 

Systems were tactically better and confident on the ball. They  also defended as a unit when Matjimenyenga launched scathing attacks. 

With plenty of supply from the midfield, the host’s strike force of Kemoreng Batisani and Mbatshi Elias either shot wide or panicked in front of goal.

 Tafic missed out on a dozen scoring opportunities, but despite the missed chances, “Undipe Ndikupe” as Tafic is also referred to, were resilient in their quest to find an equaliser.

 In the 25^th minute, lady luck smiled upon Matjimenyenga as Security Systems’ Baung Dithebe was adjudged for hand ball and the host were awarded a penalty which was brilliantly converted by Obakeng Gaanabeng for an equaliser. 

With more confidence after the goal, Tafic further raised their play and in the 28^th minute, Lungisani Fanyana’s thunderbolt shot raised Tafic supporters on their feet, but the ball rattled the right bar and bounced back into play before being cleared by Chifhiwa Kgaswane.

Sensing trouble, Systems coach, Thaloga “Machine” Nthaga made an early substitution by pulling out Omphile Sebolai for Mpho Gaboitsiwe. 

Elijah Motseoatile of Tafic had a great impact for his side as he nullified all attacks mounted by their opponents from the left flank.

The first half ended with both teams tied at one all. The second half produced more sparks as both teams went for the jagular.

In the 56^th minute, a cross from Elias saw Batisani beating System’s keeper with a header to give Tafic a 2-1 lead. 

Substitutions continued with Systems pulling out Buang Dithebe for Thapelo Semoya and Sebolai for Lynoth Chikhuwa. 

Tafic pulled out Mooketsi Mampori for Uyapo Thibathuwe and Obakeng Gaanabeng for Rodney Buka, but their wastefulness at goal continued.

Their many offsides also denied them what could have been an avalanche of goals.

 However, they managed to hold on to their lead to secure maximum points in their second game of the new campaign. ENDS