Santos, Motlakase in quiet battle for promotion
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday May 19, 2017 11:40
Following TAFIC and Sharps Shooting Stars’ automatic elevation to the elite league, Uniao Flamengo Santos and Motlakase Power Dynamos have been afforded the last chance to gain promotion through a play-off.
The Lobatse Sports Complex will be the battlefield tomorrow evening when the two sides face-off in the first leg of the competition. The two sides have had to face-off after playing second fiddle in their respective leagues.
Motlakase fought TAFIC until the last day of the league but could not collect enough points, handing the Francistown side a ticket back to the Premiership after a three year absence.
Santos on the other hand, also settled for second position in the First Division South League.
They found Sharps Shooting Stars in great shape, and the Pio Paul’s side got their first ever promotion to the Premier League. Both Motlakase and Santos have had their spells in the elite league before.
Motlakase in particular will be making their return after just one season in the lower division if they win the play-off. They relegated in the 2015/2016 season together with FC Satmos and BR Highlanders.
Santos found the going tough in the First Division South when they relegated three seasons ago. After their relegation, they lost some of the key players among the late Gofaone Tiro and Mpho Kgaswane.
They then had to endure a three-year spell in the lower division as they could not match the likes of Jwaneng Galaxy, Black Forest and Security Systems who are now in the Premier League.
Motlakase tried hard with their squad dominated by students who have had to miss some of the crucial matches because of school commitments.
Santos host the first leg since the second leg last season was held in the south when Security Systems beat ECCO City Greens. The second leg will be played in the north next weekend.