GU crowned champions despite shock TAFIC defeat

Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday April 28, 2026 07:56

Coming into the match, GU needed just three points to mathematically wrap up the title with four games to spare. On paper, it looked routine, in reality, it was anything but TAFIC, fighting for survival and playing on a difficult surface, flipped the script.

GU head coach, Sean Connor did not hide behind excuses but pointed squarely at the conditions, describing the pitch as a decisive factor in the contest.

“It was not an easy three points, absolutely not,” Connor said in a post-match interview.

“You could see in the first five, 10 minutes the type of game it was going to be. The ball was in the air more than on the ground.”

The Reds, known for their fluid, possession-based football, were dragged into a physical battle they were ill-equipped to win. Connor admitted his side struggled to cope, particularly against TAFIC’s imposing centre forwards.

“We did not deal well with their big centre forward. The surface is not conducive to how we play. When we try to go direct, we don’t have those types of players,” he said.

TAFIC made their moments count. Thatayaone Nkwapa opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, finishing off a well-worked move initiated by Emmanuel Timu.

The Zambian forward then turned from provider to executioner, doubling the lead in the 65th minute with a composed finish into the bottom corner.

For GU, it was a rare off day in front of goal. Prior to this, they had been on a seven-game scoring streak, netting 22 goals and looking every bit champions-elect.

Their last failure to score came back on February 8 in a goalless draw against Police XI. Despite the setback, Connor remained defiant and tellingly, relaxed.

“There was no pressure on my team whatsoever. We need one point from three games. That’s not pressure. Come on,” he said.

He framed the defeat as a temporary setback rather than a warning sign.

“It is delayed the inevitable. We will go and get the point that we need. We are frustrated today, not disappointed.” As it turned out, they did not even need that point.

Galaxy’s slip handed GU the title regardless, crowning a season where they have largely set the pace and imposed themselves as the dominant force in the league.

The teams:

TAFIC: Ezekiel Morake, Thamani Muzila, Thuso Monyama, Rubuz Steve, Kelapile Ndlovu, Tumelo Majola, Pilatwe Diwanga, Shaun Philip Emmanuel Timu, Thatayaone Nkwapa, Nkgomotsang Malau

GU: Thabo Motswagole, Alphord Velaphi, Ivan Kamberipa, Tatenda Gora, Mothusi Johnson, Lebogang Ditsile, Karabo Phiri, Sheikh Sesay, Ambrosius Amseb, Godfrey Tauyatswala, Thatayaone Kgamanyane