Chouka determined to return to the Premiership

Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday April 27, 2017 13:32

First Division North lived up to expectations and produced an intriguing campaign that saw the league decided at the last blow of the whistle. TAFIC gained promotion and Motlakase were left to battle in the promotional play-offs.

The Palapye outfit did everything right in the closing games of the campaign. They blew open the title race when it looked like TAFIC had the league in the bag with four games remaining and mounted a spirited pursuit to the dire end. Motlakase finished spectacularly on a six game unbeaten run and won their last four encounters. Club coach, Pule Mogotsi said although the league is water under the bridge, their focus remains on promotion to the Premiership.

He said they began to ponder on a Premiership return prior to their last few encounters. “Our destiny was obvious prior to our last game. It was either we gain automatic promotion or we go to the play-offs,” he said.

“TAFIC stood their ground and at the end we had to accept what we got. Now there is only one direction and that is to get back to the Premiership and with our past form we are optimistic. Our players have shown they can rise to the occasion.”

He said the challenge now lies on when the play-offs will be played. Nonetheless he said their preparations continue.

The date of the play-offs is yet to be decided with the First Division South league scheduled to conclude this weekend.

“We are waiting on the date of the play-offs and the sooner the better for us. It will be difficult to prepare when we are in the dark about the promotional games dates.

Otherwise we keep our preparations going. We have a friendly lined up this weekend so that we try to keep our players in shape and maintain the momentum.”

Chouka will face either Santos, Notwane or Black Peril in the play-offs, with the opponent to be decided in the ultimate fixture this weekend.