Chouka hold key to title race
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday April 5, 2019 12:23
There are three matches left and the difference between the log leaders, TAFIC and second-placed Morupule Wanderers is just two points. Third-placed Sua Flamingoes are a further nine points behind.
Motlakase will play all top three sides in their remaining fixtures. Chouka has redeemed themselves after a poor first round and are unbeaten in their last five games.
They face Flamingoes this weekend, with the Sowa side eager to avoid a slip up.
After Flamingoes, Chouka would be home to TAFIC. Before the Palapye trip, TAFIC face a tricky derby against rivals, Francistown City Greens, who are fighting relegation.
TAFIC coach, Elias Chinyemba said their title challenge is facing a stern test as they face two relegation candidates, City Greens and GNT while Chouka are battling for a top eight finish.
Chinyemba has unpleasant memories about their last visit to Motlakase where TAFIC was thumped 3-1.
“We have three tough games left. We have to cross the first bridge, and we would find our way to the next. We are ready, whatever it takes,” he said.“We know a difficult assignment awaits us in Palapye. We might have beaten Motlakase, but they have found their footing. It would take a bloody battle to get maximum points in their backyard.”
Wanderers’ passage is no different to that of TAFIC. ‘Wandi’ play Calendar Stars this weekend, Palapye All Stars in the next and Motlakase in the last fixture.
Calendar is out of the relegation battle and they have nothing to lose. All Stars are deep in the relegation mud and only maximum points in the last three fixtures would save their skin.However, it is their crosstown rivals, Motlakase that would worry Boyo Radipotsane’s side. Wanderers are responsible for dismantling the Chouka squad after luring several top performers.
In an unprecedented manner that left Chouka bitter, Wanderers stripped them of their coach, goalkeeper coach and three key players. Chouka responded to their moves with a spirited 2-0 thumping of their younger brothers in Pilikwe. The match would present a headache for Radipotsane’s charges if TAFIC does not slip up in the next two fixtures.