Battle of the mines in playoffs
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday May 10, 2019 15:02
Fighters are determined to continue their progression while Wanderers are keen to prove a point after being pipped to the title by TAFIC in the north.
Fighters finished runners-ups to Gilport Lions. Spokesperson for the Jwaneng club, Goitseone Kebuang said they have achieved the best campaign after their debut season in the First Division.
Fighters went all the way to the quarterfinals of the Orange FA Cup where they lost to Premiership giants, Police XI after a penalty shootout. Kebuang said their resilience has been tested both in the league and cup games. He said they have studied their opponents, and they are ready for the playoffs.
He said pound-for-pound they match Wanderers. He said they knew the tactics of Wanderers coach Boyo Radipotsane and have studied his experienced arsenal in the likes of Master Masitara, Kgololo Kgogobi and Gosaitse Manuel.
He pins the team’s hopes on the experienced Boitumelo Mafoko, Mosimanegape Ngongorego and Raphael Nthwane to lead their young players. Kebuang believes they have an edge over their opponents since Fighters did not have a break.
“The squad is ready to go. We don’t have injuries and we are sharp. We have had tough games that I believe would give us an edge against our opponents who have been idle,” he said. “Our mission is to make the best out of the situation and get ourselves a comfortable margin before we follow them to Pilikwe to wrap up things. We want to bring joy to Jwaneng, and we expect a full house on Saturday.”
Fighters are not as potent upfront as their opponents. They have struggled to find the net in their past two home games in the league. While they have been struggling to go past two goals in a game, Wanderers have never failed to score away. Their biggest away margin is 3-1 and they have done it a couple of times. Wanderers chairperson, Nelson Kgosipheko said they are geared up for the encounter. He said the squad is refreshed after a two-week break following the conclusion of the league. He said they had kept the players active with three friendly games that gave their technical team room to re-adjust their tactics.
He said they would be on an attacking mode as they would be on the hunt for as many goals as possible. He said the intention is to make the Pilikwe meeting a mountainous battle for their opponents.“We are looking for a win. If we don’t, the idea is to score as many goals as we can so that we play comfortably in Pilikwe. We want to wrap up the playoffs in Jwaneng,” Kgosipheko said.