Notwane, Highlanders on brink of promotion
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday April 13, 2018 12:38
Toronto as Notwane are affectionately known, last played in the elite league in 2014 before FC Satmos knocked them out in a controversial play-off. Since the beginning of the season, they have remained close to the summit and when they claimed the top spot in the final stretch they clung tightly on to it. Pio Paul’s men need only a point in their last two fixtures.
They have been in a scintillating form since the beginning of the year.They are unbeaten in the past two months, having won all their past five games, conceding once and bagging 12 goals. This weekend, they travel to Masankeng in Mochudi to face Mochudi Rovers. Rovers are blowing hot and cold.
They have won twice and lost twice, with a single draw in the past five games. Rovers have not been a problem for Notwane; Toronto trampled them 2-0 in the first round fixture. Prisons XI are Notwane’s closest opponents, six points adrift. Phillip Makhwengwe’s charges have a mammoth of a task of reversing Toronto’s 12-goal advantage if the latter was to lose their two remaining fixtures. At this instant, slipping is a word that does not exist in Toronto technical team’s vocabulary. Club assistant coach, Mlungisi Kopi is confident they are going to wrap up the title this weekend. “We had started a project and as the technical team we want to end it now. We cannot afford to slip,” he said.
“We have put the work in and we are satisfied with our preparation. We will be cautious in our approach to safeguard our defensive line, but we will be ruthless in attack. It is a big game for us and our supporters and we must make it exciting.” In the north league, Highlanders are within a touching distance of the Premiership.
They carry a four points advantage with two fixtures left. Highlanders could seal the deal with a win against Great North Tigers in Francistown this weekend.
A win this weekend will ensure their tally is unassailable regardless of the outcome elsewhere. Stimela beat GNT 2-0 in their last league meeting that was played in Mahalapye. A lose or draw could prove vital as it will blow the race wide open ahead of the last fixture. Second-placed Flamingoes will cross their fingers for a Highlanders slip-up.
They must ensure they get maximum points in their last two games.This weekend they are home to Francistown City Greens.
Motlakase on third, six points adrift will also relish a chance if Stimela bungle but they face a tricky Nico United. In others matches in the north, Morupule Wanderers travel to Calendar Stars, Real Movers welcome fellow relegation threatened Mahalapye United Hotspurs and Green Lovers play crosstown rivals Maphatshwa.