14 May 2018

Jwaneng Fighters have gained promotion to the First Division South after winning the Southern Block playoffs in Mmankgodi over the weekend.

The playoffs were contested by regional champions from Gaborone, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Southern and South East football regions. Southern region champions Fighters emerged as deserved winners after garnering nine points from four matches.

With former Zebras star Mmusa Ohilwe controlling the midfield, Fighters registered a 4-2 victory against Gaborone regional champions Holy Ghost on Saturday morning and defeated Mochudi Atlanta Chiefs 2-0 in the afternoon to climb to the top of the log standings.

On Sunday morning they outclassed their closest rivals, Masitaoka from the Kweneng region and scored either side of the half-time break to take a commanding lead in the playoffs.

Even though they went down 3-1 to hosts Digodi in their last match the result was inconsequential as Masitaoka, which was the only other team which still had a mathematical chance of catching them was beaten 2-1 by Atlanta Chiefs in a simultaneous match.  

The Jwaneng side coach, Andrew Tlou expressed delight at how his team performed during the playoffs.

“We planned for this. We worked hard and my players came to the party. We won the first three games that we needed to win. Unfortunately, we wanted to finish in style, but it did not work. It was bound to happen. You can’t win all the games,” said former Jwaneng Comets and Police XI player Tlou.

He said they trained in the mornings and afternoons prior to the playoffs in order to adequately prepare for the playoffs.

“We prepared very well and my players listen a lot. Though I have got senior players, they respect me and I respect them because they love football. They bring in leadership and drive the team,” said the coach.

He said the team benefitted from the wealth of experience from players like Ohilwe who has played for the national team and many Premier League teams.

Atlanta Chiefs finished second with seven points after beating Digodi 1-0 and drawing 2-2 against Holy Ghost in their other matches. Masitaoka were third with six points after a 2-1 victory against Holy Ghost and 1-0 against Digodi, while Digodi came last.

In the Western Block, Blue Stars from Ghanzi region emerged champions and were promoted to the First Division South.

Eleven Angels from the Francistown region won the Northern Block playoffs while Palapye All Stars from the Tswapong region won the Eastern Block. The two teams were promoted to the First Division North. ENDS