Wanderers not to take foot off pedal
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday May 17, 2019 11:37
The two teams clash in Pilikwe at 3:30pm. Kgogobi vividly remembers that when he joined, a three-year plan was unveiled, with a view to gaining promotion on the third season.
He said they pushed for promotion in the past season but lost a chance for the playoffs berth in the final game when they succumbed to Sua Flamingoes in the final match of the season and they finished fourth.
Owing to the targets of the club, he said the management has done great business with the off-season additions to boost their technical department and squad to prepare a team that would chase the dream this season.
“From what we had, we were confident from the beginning of the season that we should grind results and achieve this dream. It was unfortunate we could not promote automatically. We are fully focussed in the playoffs,” he said.
Although they carry a healthy lead, the former Extension Gunners and Gaborone United player said the team is grounded and there was no room for complacency.
He noted they learnt from the recent sensational comebacks in the UEFA Champions League masterminded by Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspurs, that a match is not over until the final whistle.
“We are lucky to have seen these things happen recently and they would help us switch on. Our approach is similar to the first leg; our training routine has not changed. The 2-0 is behind us and we are looking at a new match,” the 30-year-old said.
Kgogobi expressed confidence in the club’s youngsters and believes his side would be difficult customers for Fighters. He said his teammates possess a strong fighting spirit, and they are ready to battle. “This is our opportunity to give a gift to the people of Palapye and everyone who has supported us and we must fight hard. I am confident in my teammates,” he said.
In the 11-league home games Wanderers played at the Pilikwe ground, they bowed once to crosstown rivals Motlakase Power Dynamos.
They played to a stalemate against champions, TAFIC and won nine matches. They failed to find the net only twice. In the Chouka defeat and the TAFIC draw. In the 11 matches, Wanderers scored 16 goals and conceded seven times.
The battle promises a pulsating affair. Fighters have also been good playing away from home. Of their nine league wins, six were away. They drew three times and lost only two games on the road. They scored half of their 26 goals away and conceded eight goals.
Fighters experienced defender, Boitumelo Mafoko believes the first leg result will act as a motivation for his side. He said their training revolved around the two-goal deficit and how to turn it around.
“We are fine, the boys have prepared to win. We are trailing but we are not out. We are capable of scoring five in a game, all we need is to shock them with an early goal,” the former Zebras captain said.
Mafoko said their camp has experienced players that have been in dire situations in football. He noted the mood was fine and the players relaxed. “We have seen comebacks and we have prepared for one.”