Make or break First Division North weekend
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday April 7, 2017 18:14
In the penultimate weekend in what has been a pulsating season, eyes are on TAFIC who are away in Kasane to face Chobe United.
TAFIC spokesperson, Warrant Kolola said they were shaken by the weekend defeat to Chouka but they remain focused for a top position finish.
“We have psychologists in place to keep assisting our players. Some broke down after the (Motlakase) loss, but we are confident we will recover. We have done it before, besides we are still at the top and we will consolidate our spot in the next game.”
Matjimenyenga escaped by a whisker in the first round fixture against their weekend opponents when they edged United 2-1 in Francistown. But United has not been doing well lately.
Chobe registered a single win in the past five games and have been struggling at home losing all three of their encounters at the Prisons Grounds. Matjimenyenga has been able to recover well after dropping points in the past. They recovered with consecutive wins after slipping to BR Highlanders and did the same after being held by TASC. However, a second defeat in a row after the past weekend might present a case of so near yet so far for the Francistowners if Chouka emerge victors in a blood and thunder battle expected in Sowa Town.
After an injection of confidence from the past outing, Chouka descend on the soda and ash mining town for a meeting with the natives, Sua Flamingoes, in search of maximum points.
Although the Palapye side got the better of the miners 1-0 in the past league fixture, third -placed Flamingoes who are also in contention for the top position will certainly be no pushovers. Chouka coach, Pule Mogotsi said they are awake to the impending challenge and remain grounded.
“We are still chasing and we are focused in doing the best in our last two games and see where it takes us. Obviously we would love to finish top but if it is beyond us, we will settle for what we get at the end,” he said.
Only maximum points from the remaining fixtures for both Chouka and Flamingoes and a TAFIC slip will see the duo finish above Matjimenyenga.
Flamingoes sit third on 39 points with three fixtures remaining and nine points from the remaining games will see them finish on 48.
Flamingoes coach, Enos Mmesi is playing cards close to his chest. He said they would rather keep a closed book until the finish line.
In Palapye, an interesting battle of top local coaches is brewing between Major David Bright and Boyo Radipotsane who find themselves in the second tier league despite rich resumes.
Radipotsane’s Highlanders need maximum points to keep in touch with the leaders, while Bright’s Morupule Wanderers need the points the most as they continue to make their way up the ladder in a bid to escape the chop.
In other games, ECCO City Greens play cross-town rivals GNT and already relegated sides Satmos and TASC face-off in Francistown. All the games will be played on Saturday. Kick off is 4pm.