Ball in Motlakase�s court as Highlanders slip

Koketso Kgoboge | Tuesday December 12, 2017 14:47

 

The first round was put to bed at the weekend, except for Chouka and Francistown City Greens who have an outstanding fixture. The game was postponed due to lack of venue and will be played on Saturday at the Francistown Stadium.

Chouka are smarting from a 1-0 defeat to Mahalapye United Hotspurs on Saturday, and Highlanders still sit top, three points clear. However, the two have a similar goal difference, meaning a win by any margin will take the Palapye side top.

It could be a sense of dejavu for Highlanders who led the log for 10 weeks last season before surrendering to eventual winners, TAFIC. Stimela lost ground and finished third below Chouka. By the recent run of form, Motlakase holds the upper hand than Highlanders.

Motlakase were on a six game winning streak before the weekend loss while Highlanders blows hot and cold.

Statistics show they are good scorers, but their defence needs some tightening.

Motlakase scored equal and their defence was also the best in the league by far conceding five times.

Their stand in coach, Letlogile Seoforeng who is holding fort for Pule Mogotsi, currently attending a coaching course outside the country, said fatigue was their main undoing over the weekend after playing three games in seven days.

“The boys are tired but they are soldiers. We are not complaining, we will continue fighting. We have fallen but this is a wake up call going forward, we will learn from this defeat. We still have a chance to finish at the top,” he said.

Stimela knows well what had hit them last season and they will be looking to avoid a similar feat when they resume the second round. Their coach, Kabo Dintwa said it is a bonus that they are contesting at the top despite losing10 key players in the off season.

The cagey Dintwa said they are not under pressure for promotion. He said they will look to the January window providing cover for three positions.

“We find ourselves in contention for promotion and it’s a bonus for us. I applaud my players; they have surprised me. We are neck to neck with Motlakase and it means we are going to start a new race when the second round resumes. We are building a new team and we are under no pressure for promotion,” he said.