Battered TAFIC face tough decisions
Chakalisa Dube | Friday May 2, 2014 15:45
“There is no need for fighting now that we have been relegated. Relegation tells us that we are not doing things properly at the club. All stakeholders associated with club have to come forward to see what can be done to revive its
fortunes.
We should not dwell on the past but focus on the way forward. We have to pull in the same direction and have a vision,” he said. He explained that all stakeholders will be invited to the special meeting to discuss what can be done to improve the fortunes of the club. The current relegation marks the second time in 10 years TAFIC has failed to pass muster in the
topflight because of internal fighting and financial woes. It is feared that like before, key players will leave the club to join Premier League sides while others may be pushed out to keep the wage bill down. In 2004 when TAFIC got the chop, good players like Eric Molebatsi, the late acrobatic goalie Crispen Nyamutambo, Tamucha Bedi and Bakang Meno left the club.
Established in 1959, TAFIC attracted massive support in the late 1980s and early 1990s, mostly under the leadership of Geoffrey Maygilip who was regarded as a strategist. At the time, the club was relatively stable until Maygilip left under a cloud. Former Zebras midfielder, Phutego Modipe who played for TAFIC in the early 2000s, has said the club must come up with strategies to survive at the top level. “TAFIC is a very marketable brand that can attract reliable sponsors but needs proper management. Those in charge of the club should come up with noble ways to take the club forward. Serious introspection is needed as the club heads to the First Division. There is no time to play the blame game. The leadership of the club should understand that football has become commercial which requires them to run things professionally. While in the First Division, they should focus on how they can commercialise the club and not only on promotion and address all shortcomings. We want to see a better TAFIC when they gain promotion,” he said. He called for a person with proper administrative skills and good networks in the business community to lead TAFIC. “The club needs a leader with a vision,” he said.
Former TAFIC defender, Mothusi Kholi acknowledged that the club failed to introspect thoroughly after it got relegated in the 2004-2005 season. “I have been at TAFIC for many years and neglecting the welfare of players and poor management coupled with infighting is a norm.
With its support base, the club should consider going commercial,” he said. He warned that the club should not repeat the past mistake of focusing on gaining promotion at the expense of establishing a good financial base and survival strategy. He said after relegation in 2004, all energy was channelled to gaining promotion. “This is why I believe the club suffered relegation again this season. With the problems that have been bedevilling the club in recent years, it was also inevitable that the club will relegate again,” he said.