Sankoyo on the verge of soccer history
Chakalisa Dube | Friday April 4, 2014 14:46
Sankoyo commands a healthy lead at the top of the 12-team league with 42 points while their closest challengers BR Highlanders have 38. Two games are left to wrap up the league, meaning that former Premier League side, Highlanders can get a maxim of 44 points while a win tomorrow takes Sankoyo to 45. “I am aware that I will make history by becoming the first coach to lead a team from the North West region to the elite league. But for now, I do not want to think about making history. I am just focused on winning the game against Tonota. The players look motivated because they know that the club will make history tomorrow. But I have also told them to focus on winning the match tomorrow. That is when we can celebrate.
Thinking about making history has the potential to take our eyes off the ball. It can put us under pressure,” Sankoyo coach, Gadimang Tiiso said yesterday.
Tomorrow, Highlanders take on Mahalapye Hotspurs in an interesting derby in which second spot and a place if the Premier League promotion play-off is at stake. Hotspurs are in position three with 32 points and a win will close the gap with Highlanders to two points with one match to go.
Elsewhere ninth placed Maun Tigers host ex-Premier League side TASC who have been in poor form in recent weeks. TASC were tipped to challenge for the title early in the second round when they were in the top four.
But poor form has seen them plummet to position eight with 23 points - one ahead of their weekend opponents. TASC have a game in hand though.
Amakhosi host Serowe side, Green Lovers in Tati Siding in a match with a bearing on second spot.
With 29 points, fourth placed Lovers have a mathematical chance of finishing second and qualifying for a play-off spot depending on how Highlanders and Hotspurs fare in their last two matches. Lovers have a game in hand. As struggling rookies, Sladen Eaglese host fellow greenhorns Palapye All stars bottom placed Two-Two-Five welcome Great North Tigers (GNT) in Senete for a duel of relegation candidates. Tigers have 16 points - two points better than their hosts who are in the 11th position, which is an automatic relegation spot.
To survive, the club will have to win all its matches and hope that Eagles who are in the 10th place or other relegation candidates lose all games. In the relegation battle, GNT and Two-Two-Five have the advantage of a game. Two-Two-Five have a mathematical chance of surviving if they win all their matches.