TAFIC, Motlakase left to fight promotion ticket
Koketso Kgoboge | Wednesday April 12, 2017 15:28
Two points and three goals separates the duo that went out of reach of third-placed Sua Flamingoes and fourth BR Highlanders after this weekend’s results. TAFIC fought from behind to beat Chobe United 2-1 in Kasane.
Motlakase ensured TAFIC does not get a free ticket last weekend when they blew open the title race defeating the leaders 3-1 and ensured they are in touch again this weekend with a 1-0 win against Flamingoes.
Matjimenyenga have 46 points and Chouka are on their tailcoats with 44. Only a win in the remaining fixture will ensure Matjimenyenga are home and dry. The Francistowners will be away at Flamingoes in the deciding fixture.
A Matjimenyenga slip could see Chouka steal victory at the end, but the latter will have to go through GNT in Palapye.
Earlier on Saturday, third-placed Flamingoes benefited three soft points and two goals from Maun Tigers for a fixture that Tigers failed to honour.
The three points lifted Flamingoes to just a point behind second-placed Chouka before the game but they saw their season wear away when they lost another three points to Chouka on the same day. They now sit at 40 points four points adrift of the second place.
However, Flamingoes have a pending case before the disciplinary committee that the FDN secretary general Rapula Gaotlhobogwe confirmed. A positive outcome from the case might throw Flamingoes back into contention.
“We had established issues of violence at the fixture of Morupule Wanderers and Sua Flamingoes and we have forwarded the matter to BFA (Botswana Football Association) secretary general. A hearing is to be set and we expect the two to appear.”
Highlanders who dominated the top spot for the better of the first round failed to maintain grip at the top in the second round. They are now fourth.
Boyo Radipotsane’s men saw their play-off hopes fade away when Major David Bright’s Morupule Wanderers held them to a 1-1 draw in Palapye. Highlanders can only finish on 41 points if they win their last fixtures. Tigers joined TASC and Satmos to division one. Real Movers confirmed the Maun side relegation when they held them to a 1-1. TASC beat Satmos 2-1.
Meanwhile, a Chobe United and ECCO City Greens loss has opened a five sides battle for position five. GNT beat ECCO by a solitary goal. The gap between fifth placed Chobe and ninth Wanderers are three points and the goal differences amongst the five is not more than two goals.
Whoever slips might count their losses at the end of the BTC Premiership season if three northern sides relegate. The last fixtures will be played on April 22.