15 Apr 2018

After a string of disappointments with losing hordes of their past games and drawing endlessly, Tafic over the weekend beat Mochudi Centre Chiefs 2-1 at the Francistown Sports Complex to keep the hopes of remaining in the BTC Premiership alive.

The game which was a must win for Tafic attracted a sizable crowd despite the low entrance ticket prices of P10 and P20 respectively.

The Francistown based side which has been struggling to maintain form in the premier league since making their come-back went into the game pegged at number 13 on log standings with 25 points, having played 24 games.

They had won only six games drew seven and lost a staggering 12 games.

Centre Chiefs on the other hand who had started the league on a sloppy pace due to in part, their financial woes were beginning to find their footing as they were getting their second defeat in an impressive seven games.

They had 29 points on 24 games and were sitting at number ten on the BTC Premiership after winning seven games, drawing eight and losing nine.

The weekend encounter was however a different one for them as they were a shadow of themselves almost the entire game with a few attacks here and there which produced no result.

Tafic started the first half a better side, showing their hunger to secure an early goal.

The  combination of Keorapetse Mosimanegape and Uyapo Thibathuwe’s endless ball supplies to Mbatshi Elias were lethal but often went to waste.

On the 15th minutes, Matjimenyenga’s Kgosietsile Ernest’s world class dribbling display and breakthrough past four Chiefs defenders brought hope of an early goal only for Ernest to hit a light shot that was easily thwarted by Lawrence Majawa.

Lesego Borake of Centre Chiefs was causing a defence upset for the host as he maneuvered past them on numerous occasions but failing to find the back of the net.

On the 31st minutes, the ever hardworking Uyapo Thibathuwe answered for the home side Tafic after a team breakthrough that saw him beating Chiefs Keeper, Siamisang Kgosipula to give his team a 1-0 lead.

First half went to recess on a 1-0 score line in favor of Tafic.

The second half started off on a heated note with the host team picking up where they left off on attacks with Kawashu Makai nearly hitting the back of the net on the first few minutes of the second half.

On the 57th minutes, Chiefs feeling the heat brought in Lesego Lubinda for Koketso Mojafi. On the 60th minute, Thatayaone Ramatlapeng’s thunderous shot went far wide.

As Magosi began to coordinate precision attacks, led by Borake, Tafic keeper, Lesego Bosekeng was on standby to deny them goals.

Magosi’s hardwork finally paid off when Khumoetsile Kufigwa pounced on a napping Tafic defence to level matters and make the score line 1-1.

However their celebration was short lived as on the 65th minutes, after a reckless play on Thibathuwe by Mandla Mgadla on their goal box, the host was awarded a penalty that was easily converted by Makai to give his side a 2-1 lead in favor of Tafic.

On the 71st minutes, Mosimanegape was pulled out due to injury and was replaced by skillful youngster, Michael Murirwa.

On the 78th minutes Chiefs also made a substitution pulling out Thato Ogopotse for Othusitse Pilane.

The subs didn’t bring much depth or change to the results for Magosi as they failed to coordinate well against the on-form Tafic.

The game ended 2-1 in favor of Matjimenyenga Boys.

In an interview, Mochudi Centre Chiefs assistant coach, Pontsho Moloi stated that he was disappointed with the results of the game as they missed out on many scoring chances.

He promised to go back to rectifying their scoring strategies.

The Tafic Coach on the other hand expressed his happiness at winning the three crucial points.

“We really needed to win today’s game to avert a situation of relegation zone. This win, however does not mean we will relax. We are going to work hard going into our next game on Tuesday,” he said.