Thibathuwe is the handy TAFIC marksman
Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday April 18, 2019 12:40
Thibathuwe came on as a substitute when they were trailing 1-0 against a stubborn Real Movers to set up an equaliser, before finding the winner. So far, he has scored three winning goals from the bench this season.
This week Matjimenyenga face a tricky encounter with Motlakase Power Dynamos in Pilikwe. Yet again, the Francistowners will be banking on their captain for inspiration. With two fixtures to the end of the season, TAFIC cannot afford to slip. Their chasers, Morupule Wanderers are breathing heavily behind them.
The teams are in a two points difference. Both are assured of at least a playoffs berth and focus in now on who grabs automatic qualification to the Premier League.
Thibathuwe said he faced a similar experience two seasons ago.
He played in the 3-1 defeat to Motlakase at Palapye Swallows grounds at a time when TAFIC needed a win to wrap up the league.
“I remember, we were overconfident in our approach. We believed so much in our strength and we came for a win but we were punished,” he remembers.
“This time we are not coming to collect the points, we are coming to Palapye to play football, to fight hard for maximum points and hopefully we will get our wish,” he pointed out.
Thibathuwe said they endured an easy run in the first round and that nearly misled them. TAFIC drew once and won the rest of their first round matches.
Their run took a negative turn when Green Lovers gave them a wake up call with a 2-0 defeat. The move left the Francistown side second. Despite that lady luck was on their side as bottom placed Real Movers tripped Wanderers. This led to the Francistown outfit regaining their top spot.
“We learnt the hard way. The second round has been hectic. We lost an instrumental player through a transfer, and we had to adjust. Teams are also fighting hard. We are scrapping results, there has not been an easy game in the second round,” he said.
The Jersey number 11 said they are focussed on their final two matches. They finish the season with a game against city rivals, Calendar Stars. Kazungula Fighters knocked them out of the FA Cup last weekend and he believes it was a blessing in disguise.
“We are at the finish line, and we need total focus. We don’t want to find ourselves praying that our opponents drop points. There are two games left and we have to see it through,’’ he added.
TAFIC beat Motlakase 3-1 in the reverse fixture, but their results in the two games in Pilikwe against Palapye sides have not been convincing. They played to a stalemate with Wanderers and edged Palapye All Stars 1-0. Thibathuwe and his mates will have to dig deeper to go through Motlakase.
Wanderers will be rallying behind their rivals-turned-brothers. They face an All Stars side battling to escape relegation. Only three points would hand All Stars the lifeline. On another realm, Real Movers could be relegated if they drop points away to Green Lovers. Lovers, Francistown City Greens and GNT all face relegation.
City Greens and GNT face up in a Francistown derby, while Eleven Angels and Nico play at the Tagala Grounds. Calendar Stars travel to Sowa to play Sua Flamingoes.