TAFIC activate survival mode with crucial Chiefs stalemate
Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday March 4, 2026 08:36
A 0-0 draw against high-flying Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the FNB Premiership match played at the Lobatse Sports Complex might not scream glamour, but in the context of a survival battle, it carries heavyweight value.
Head coach, Thatayaone Sonny did not mince his words after the stalemate, framing the result as a strategic gain against one of the league’s most in-form and best-resourced outfits.
“We are still battling the relegation but we have agreed to say ‘let us put up a fight’ and we are going to fight until the very end,” said Sonny.
“Take each game at a time, but we have always promise our fans that we are going to fight to save the team from the relegation zone that is our mission.”
The draw stretches Matjimenyenga’s unbeaten run to four matches, a timely resurgence as the FNB Premiership campaign enters its decisive stretch.
With nine fixtures still to navigate, TAFIC have edged up to 13th position on 18 points, level with Santa Green but holding a slender advantage on goal difference. It is hardly comfort territory, but it is breathing space and in a relegation scrap, a breather is vital.
Chiefs, widely regarded as the benchmark side since the turn of the year, controlled large spells of the encounter as expected. They carved out opportunities with intent but found TAFIC’s defensive structure disciplined and unyielding.
For all their territorial dominance, Chiefs lacked the clinical edge to convert possession into goals before the interval.
But the second half told a slightly different story. As the clock ticked into the final 30 minutes, TAFIC shed their cautious shell and began to believe.
Their transitions grew sharper, their attacking patterns braver. On another afternoon, they might have stolen maximum points. However, profligacy in front of goal ensured the stalemate remained intact.
Still, in the unforgiving arithmetic of relegation survival, the draw was not ordinary. It was a statement of resilience a reminder that TAFIC are not ready to surrender their top-flight status without a scrap, Sonny believes.
The teams:
Chiefs: Keeagile Kgosipula, Tshepo Malgas, Shanganani Nganda, Aitor Aldalur, Brian Tafhi, Theo Shadikong (Lebopo Moremi), Nahuel Melgarejo (Hendrick Moyo), Monty Enosa (Kgosietsile Enerst), Evans Rusike, Gilbert Baruti (Resaobaka Thatanyane), Ronaldo Fortune (Kgotso Phuti)
TAFIC: Ezekiel Morake, Thamani Muzila, Keabetswe Lucas, Rubuz Difand Steve, Thuso Monyama, Kelapile Ndlovu, Nkgomotsang Malau, Pilatwe Diwanga (Thatayaone Nkwapa), Tumelo Majola, Selemane Bitumba (Emmanuel Timu), Shaun Theron (Tebogo Ishmael), Tsholofelo Speakson (Franck Ikiki)
Chiefs 0 TAFIC 0