Pressure on Flamingoes in TAFIC clash
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday February 1, 2019 13:17
Flamingoes’ wounds are still fresh from a recent 4-0 drubbing at the hands of TAFIC in their own backyard. They are lagging eight points behind the leaders, Morupule Wanderers, in position three. A defeat could throw their title ambitions up in smoke, as they will fall 11 points adrift in the final stretch of the season. Flamingoes’ general manager, Kitso Maswena said they still harbor ambitions of a title and they had bolstered the squad during the current transfer window.
Maswena said the club has released four players, with three new ones signed, while four are still expected before the weekend. He added that the club was also at an advanced stage of appointing a new head coach.
He said they had a problem of depth in the first round and when they met TAFIC, the midfield was almost dysfunctional hence they suffered a heavy defeat. “I am expecting our transfer window activity to wrap up before the weekend and hopefully our new players to be part of the squad. We are facing a tough challenge, and this is a game we can’t (afford to) lose,” he said.
Log leaders, Matjimenyenga have been quiet in the transfer window. Club coach, Elias Chinyemba said they have managed to retain their full squad and are in no hurry to beef up. He said they are training with some new faces and would only sign if the players cope with their system.
Chinyemba said they go into their weekend game with their regular squad, which remained unbeaten in the first round. “Sua is still a strong side, and we owe them the respect. There will be no easy game in the second round,” he said. “The difference is, my team is united. Teams had targeted my players and they refused to move. They chose TAFIC and that sums everything up as far as the spirit is concerned. We are ready to fight hard to a return to the Premiership.” Wanderers, four points behind the leaders would keenly follow developments in Francistown. The Palapye outfit could cut the deficit to a point when they meet Francistown City Greens in Francistown on Saturday.They have signed two sort-after players from struggling cross-town rivals Motlakase Power Dynamos and another from Pilikwe United who proved his mettle while on loan at Dynamos. “Our mission is to gain promotion, and we are pushing our preparations to the limit. We hope the result between TAFIC and Flamingoes goes in our favour, so we can close the gap and hopefully go all the way,” said Wanderers assistant coach, Pule Mogotsi.
Nico United, sitting at fourth position, after a false start, will have it easy when they host struggling Palapye All Stars in Selibe-Phikwe. They beat All Stars 5-0 in Palapye in their last meeting. Eleven Angels meet Calendar Stars in a Francistown derby, while Motlakase welcome Green Lovers in a mid-table clash. Real Movers and GNT will face-off in a fight to climb away from the red zone.