Ghetto derby promises epic battle
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday March 24, 2017 15:06
Matjimenyenga are five points clear of Motlakase Power Dynamos at the top on 40 points with four fixtures remaining to the end of the season. Across town it is a do or die situation, as a Mamoja loss will hurt the team’s hopes of finishing second. ECCO are six points away from second spot in position five but 11 points adrift of TAFIC.
In the past 10 league meetings Mamoja dominated the derby with four wins, four draws and two losses.
Matjimenyenga have continued to scrap results by hook or crook defying doubters who thought they had lost the plot after suffering a coaching glitch recently. They have improved defensively and are yet to concede a goal after three fixtures.
TAFIC clobbered lacklustre Mamoja 3-0 in the first round and the Reds will once again pin their hopes on attacking trident of Mbatshi Elias, Mbatshi Machongo and Mooketsi Mampori to turn on their style.
Although the ‘Greens’ come into the fixture as underdogs, they looked a resurrected side in their past 1-1 draw against Chouka.
The experience of the returning Malepa Bolelang has brought stability to the shaky back four. ECCO can cause an upset with their counter attacking game that is spearheaded by the Powe brothers, Oarabile and Onkemetse. Mamoja will also look to capitalise on the mounting promotional pressure on their neighbours. TAFIC coach, Elias Chinyemba confirmed his squad is under enormous pressure particularly when they are at home. He said the weekend meeting with ECCO will be a mountain to climb.
“Physically, we don’t have a problem but we have reached a stage that it is more of a mental strength test. With all the expectations, we have taken a lot of beating in that department,” he said. “We have engaged a psychologist to ease the pressure on the players and hopefully we will be in the right frame of mind come weekend to continue our fight.”
Mamoja’s Texan Phiri said the team is improving and they will stick to their strategy as in the past games. He said they had a few knocks but are expecting the players to pass a late fitness test. “We are taking all the games too seriously and we will not change our strategy just to fit one. It’s do or die and we will take our chances.” Meanwhile, Motlakase are praying that TAFIC drop points so they can close in at the top, however, their points are not on a platter. They will have to go through a stubborn Chobe United in Kasane. Chouka won 2-0 in Palapye in the first round fixture.
Sua Flamingoes, like Chouka, are also eyeing a TAFIC slip so they remain in contention. Flamingoes welcome Maun Tigers that they previously beat 2-0 away.
Satmos are holding by a thread and will sink this weekend if BR Highlanders get the better of them in Mahalapye.
Major David Bright’s Morupule Wanderers welcome Real Movers in Palapye. GNT and TASC meet in another Francistown derby tomorrow.