24 May 2018

TAFIC supporters and the people of Francistown will vividly remember May 23, 2018 as one of their worst days as the team, they affectionately called Matjimenyenga relegated to the dreaded Debswana First Division North (FDN).

The team was still getting used to playing in the elite league after years of playing their trade in the first division league, when the inevitable happened.

Despite winning 2-1 against Black Forest at the Francistown Sports Complex on Wednesday, nothing could have saved TAFIC  from biting the dust. The road to TAFIC’s ascension to the BTC Premiership had been a well-documented feat of trials and tribulations. Francistown city leaders such as Mayor Sylvia Muzila, Francistown Members of Parliament (MPs) and local companies led an effort to bring TAFIC back to the high paying elite league. The term ‘Operation Gwilila’  was coined enroute to the premier league.

Another Kalanga term, ‘Operation Galila Chose’, was also coined when the team ascended to the elite league; a term referring to a  permanent stay of ‘Undipe ndikupe’ as TAFIC is often referred to. Now, they will be faced with a mammoth task of trying to make a comeback after tasting the big league just for a season.

Around the same month last year, TAFIC, having worked hard through all season in the Debswana FDN, finally secured league promotion and the city of all things precious as Francistown is known was rejuvenated.

The new state of the art stadium got more game time and people had a place where they could go for leisure and a team that they associated with.

With Francistown City Greens, then known as ECCO City Greens having been the last Francistown side to be relegated, Matjimenyenga boys had been the only hope for the city.Going into the midweek game against Black Forest, TAFIC had pinned its hope on winning against Magoleng boys and Security Systems losing to Orapa United as well as Sankoyo Bush Bucks losing to Police XI. Unfortunately for TAFIC, Systems beat Orapa United 1-0 while Sankoyo defeated Police XI 2-0 to ensure that TAFIC relegate.

Black Forest went into the encounter pegged at position eight on the log with 41 points while TAFIC languished at 14th spot with 31 points. A win would have pushed them to 34 points and a loss for both

Sankoyo and Systems would have meant its survival as both teams were locked together at 32 points each. The wins of the sides elevated Sankoyo, Police XI and Security Systems to 35 points each and sent TAFIC back to where it came from just last season.

In an interview, TAFIC coach, Kentse Motlhale said he was happy with the way his players played as they achieved the team’s primary mandate for that game, which was to beat Black Forest.
 “Sadly we still have to relegate today as all the teams that we were hoping will lose, won their last games. It is painful to see a big brand like TAFIC relegating to the First Division league,” he said.

On the other hand, Black Forest head coach, Gilbert Mushangazhike said his players played well and maintained their top eight on log standing. Ends