TAFIC coach bemoans absence of top scorer
Chakalisa Dube | Monday May 1, 2023 17:05
Chadibe took a first minute lead but TAFIC were unmatched on the day. Before their late goal, they had 18 shots on target. Modipe, who has directly contributed 10 goals and four assists this season, has missed two league games in a row. He missed the match against Mbalakalungu two weeks ago and the weekend encounter against Chadibe. He was absent against Mbalakalungu amid reports that he has been suspended for sustaining a knock while playing social football during the Easter holidays. On Saturday he was sidelined because he is carrying a slight injury, said the coach. This is despite the fact that he was training for the whole week. “We are missing our top striker and top goal scorer. We can feel his absence but we must work with what we have. The players who have come in have done relatively very well. We will have him when he is fit. He will be back very soon, but we indeed missing him,” Sonny said.
TAFIC have accumulated 42 points and now need one to secure promotion to the Premier League. Sonny has emphasised that there is need to focus in the last two fixtures. TAFIC will play Motlakase Power Dynamos this weekend before their last game is against Peace Makers at home. Chadibe coach Joseph Banyatsi believes their game was well executed although they never had much of the ball. “We wanted the three points, but we are fine with the point we have got. We have a very good chance of qualifying for the play offs and we must keep focused. We have the ability to reach the play-offs and we will fight until the end,” said Sonny.
Chadibe are second with 36 points while BR Highlanders have accumulated 36 points with two games remaining. Both sides are yet to play each other. The second placed team qualifies for the play-offs. Chadibe found the opener in the first minute through Atlholang Jeremane. The latter slotted the ball past TAFIC goalkeeper, Thatayaone Thandazela after shrugging off pressure from his marker. Goitseone Mponang scored the decisive equaliser with a neat shot from the edge of the box three minutes away from time.
The teams: Chadibe: Molaodi Aaron, Batshani Mafika, Bongani Ranji, Modise Kenewang, Donald Chiringa, Samuel Phiri, Moses Nyathi, Dumeliso Nkomeni, Akanyang Keepile, Jeremane, Aaron Sautu
TAFIC: Thatayaone Thandazela, Thamani Muzila, Shaun Phillip, Kemoneetswe Mmangwedi, Nengube Chakalisa, Nigel Gurere, Goitseone Mponang, Emmanuel Tshuma, Nicolas Batlang, Mothusi Fanyana
Chadibe FC 1 (Jeremane 1st) TAFIC 1 (Mponang 87th)